NZ617282B2

NZ617282B2 - Rotary surface cleaning tool

Info

Publication number: NZ617282B2
Application number: NZ617282A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Brett Alan Bartholmey; William Edward Bruders; Bill Elmer Richardson; Roy Studebaker; Kevin Andrew Wolfe
Original assignee: Legend Brands Inc
Priority date: 2012-02-02
Filing date: 2012-05-09
Publication date: 2015-05-28

Abstract

617282 The rotary machine is for carpeted and uncarpeted hard floors and has a circular operation surface with plural spray nozzles in each of plural radial directions, and suction shoes placed between shoes circumferentially. Each shoe has relief grooves which extend perpendicular to the radial extent of the shoe. tent of the shoe.

Description

ROTARY E CLEANING TOOL CROSS REFERENCE This application is a divisional of New Zealand Patent Application No. 599883, ﬁled 9 May 2012, which claims priority from United States Patent Application No. 13/3 64,522, ﬁled 2 February 2012, the entire contents of these Applications being incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a rotary tool for cleaning surfaces, including rugs and carpets, and in particular to such apparatus and methods with brushes for coaction with cleaning liquid delivering means and suction extraction means.

BACKGROUND OF THE ION Many apparatuses and s are known for cleaning carpeting and other ﬂooring, wall and upholstery surfaces. The cleaning apparatuses and methods most commonly used today apply cleaning ﬂuid as a spray under pressure to the surface whereupon the cleaning fluid ves the dirt and stains and the apparatus scrubs the ﬁbers while simultaneously applying suction to extract the cleaning ﬂuid and the dissolved soil. Many different apparatuses and methods for ng cleaning ﬂuid under re and then ng it with suction are illustrated in the prior art. Some of these ng apparatuses and methods use a rotating device wherein the entire machine is transported over the carpeting while a cleaning head is rotated about a vertical axis.

Another category of carpeting and tery cleaning apparatuses and methods using the rotating device wherein the entire machine is transported over the carpeting while a cleaning head is rotated about a vertical axis includes machines having a plurality of arms, each of having one or more spray nozzles or a suction means coupled to a vacuum . These rotary cleaning tools providing a more intense scrubbing action since, in general, more scrubbing surfaces t the carpet. These apparatuses and 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,l methods are primarily illustrated in US. Pat. No. 4,441,229 granted to Monson on April , 1984, and are listed in the prior art known to the inventor but not discussed in detail herein.

A third category of carpeting and upholstery cleaning apparatuses and methods that attempt to deﬂect or ise control the cleaning ﬂuid are illustrated by US. Pat. No. 6,243,914, which was granted to the inventor of the present patent ation June 12, 2001, and which is incorporated herein by reference. US. Pat. No. 6,243,914 discloses a ng head for carpets, walls or upholstery, having a rigid open- bottomed main body that deﬁnes a surface subjected to the cleaning s. Mounted within or adjacent to the main body and coplanar with the bottom thereof is a ﬂuid- applying device which includes a slot at an acute angle to the plane of the bottom of the body located adjacent the plane of the bottom of the body, the slot red such that the ﬂuid is applied in a thin sheet that ﬂows out of the slot and into the upper n of the surface to be cleaned and is subsequently extracted by suction into the vacuum source for recovery. The cleaning head is alternatively multiply embodied in a plurality of arms which are rotated about a hub. illustrates a typical prior art professional ﬂuid cleaning system as illustrated in US. Pat. 6,243,914. It is to be understood that this cleaning system is typically mounted in a van or truck for mobile servicing of calpets and ﬂooring in homes and businesses. The typical truck-mounted ﬂuid cleaning system 1 includes a main liquid waste receptacle 3 into which soiled cleaning ﬂuid is routed. A cleaning head or nozzle 5 is mounted on a rigid vacuum wand 7 which includes a handle 8 for lling ng head 5. A supply of rized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid is supplied to cleaning head 5 via a cleaning solution delivery tube 9 arranged in ﬂuid communication with a cleaning solution inlet oriﬁce ll of ng head 5 for delivering there h a ﬂow of pressurized liquid cleaning solution to ﬂuid cleaning solution spray jets 13 of cleaning head 5. Carpet cleaning head 5 typically es a rectangular, downwardly open truncated pyramidal envelope 15 which contains the cleaning ﬂuid spray that is applied to the carpet or other ﬂooring, as well as forming a vacuum plenum for the vacuum retrieving the soiled liquid for transport to waste receptacle 3. An intake port 16 of the vacuum wand 7 is coupled in ﬂuid communication with the vacuum plenum of cleaning head 5. 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,2 Mounted above the main waste receptacle 3 is a cabinet 17 housing a vacuum source and supply of pressurized hot liquid cleaning ﬂuid. Soiled cleaning ﬂuid is routed from ng head 5 into waste acle 3 via rigid vacuum wand 7 and a ﬂexible vacuum return hose 19 coupled in ﬂuid communication with an exhaust port 20 thereof, whereby spent cleaning solution and dissolved soil are withdrawn under a vacuum force supplied by the ﬂuid cleaning system, as is well known in the alt. A vacuum control valve or switch 21 is provided for controlling the vacuum source. illustrates details of operation of the typical truck-mounted ﬂuid cleaning system 1 illustrated in Here, the main waste receptacle 3, as well as the vacuum source and cleaning ﬂuid supply cabinet 17, are shown in partial cut-away views for ng details thereof. The cleaning ﬂuid is drawn through cleaning solution delivery tube 9 from a supply 23 of liquid cleaning solution in the cabinet 17. The vacuum for vacuum return hose 19 is provided by a vacuum suction source 25, such as a high pressure blower, driven by a power supply 27. The blower vacuum source 25 communicates with the main waste acle 3 through an air intake 29 coupled into an upper portion 31 thereof and, when operating, develops a powerful vacuum in an air chamber 33 enclosed in the receptacle 3.

Vacuum return hose 19 is coupled in communication with waste receptacle 3 through a drain 35, for example, at upper n 31, remote from intake 29. Vacuum return hose l9 feeds soiled cleaning ﬂuid into waste receptacle 3 as a ﬂow 37 of liquid soiled with dissolved dust, dirt and , as well as olved particulate material picked up by the vacuum return but of a size or nature as to be undissolvable in the liquid cleaning ﬂuid. The ﬂow 37 of soiled cleaning ﬂuid enters into waste acle 3 through drain 35 and forms a pool 39 of soiled liquid filled with dissolved and undissolved debris.

A ﬂoat switch 41 or other means avoids ling the waste receptacle 3 and inundating the blower 25 through its air intake 29. A screen or simple ﬁlter may be applied to remove gross contaminates from the soiled liquid ﬂow 37 before it reaches the pool 39, but this is a matter of operator choice since any impediment to the ﬂow 37 reduces crucial vacuum pressure at the cleaning head 5 for retrieving the soiled liquid from the cleaned carpet or other surface. 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,3 Soiled liquid cleaning ﬂuid effectively ﬁlters air drawn into the waste receptacle 3 by dissolving the majority of dust, dirt and stains, and drowning and sinking any undissolved debris whereby it is sunk into the pool 39 of soiled liquid and ed therein. Thus, the soiled liquid in the vacuum return hose 19 effectively filters the air before it is discharged into the enclosed air chamber 34, and no airborne particles of dust and dirt are available to escape into the ed air chamber 33 ﬂoating above the liquid pool 39.

In a rotary surface cleaning tool, cleaning head 5 utilizes cleaning liquid delivering means and suction tion means in combination with a rotary cleaning plate that is coupled for high speed rotary motion.

One example of a rotary surface ng tool is illustrated by US. Pat. No. 4,182,001, E CLEANING AND RINSING DEVICE, issued to Helmuth W.

Krause on January 8, 1980, which is incorporated herein by reference. illustrates the rotary surface cleaning and rinsing e of Krause, indicated generally at 50, which es a substantially circular housing 51 and frame 53 with its lower axial face open at 55, with this face 55 being disposed substantially parallel to the e which is to be cleaned, such as a rug 57. Mounted on top of the housing 51 and frame 53 is an enclosure 59 from which extends a handle assembly 61. Handle assembly 61 is held by the operator during the manipulation of machine 50. Handle assembly 61 has operating levers 63 and 65. Control handle 65 regulates ﬂow of cleaning or rinsing ﬂuid to rotary surface cleaning tool 51 through feed line 67. For example, feed line 67 is coupled to cleaning solution delivery tube 9 from supply 23 of liquid cleaning on in cabinet 17 in a truck—mounted unit, or another supply of liquid cleaning solution. Control handle 63 can be used to regulate the starting and ng of drive motors.

An exhaust pipe or tube 69 is mounted on handle assembly 61 and is connected to the top of rotary surface cleaning tool 51 at a connection 71. Suction is created by the motor and fan assembly 73. Else, exhaust pipe or tube 69 is coupled for suction extraction to vacuum return hose 19 and vacuum source 25 in a truck-mounted unit. Soiled cleaning ﬂuid extracted by suction tion from carpet or mg 57 is drawn 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,4 off h outlet connection 71 and through discharge hose 69. Frame 53 may also be supported by a swivel wheel 75. A large rotor 77 is rotationally mounted within housing 51 and rotationally d within enclosure 59. Rotor 77 is drivingly connected by a drive belt or chain 79 to an output shaft 81 of an electric motor 83 mounted on the frame 53.

Motor 83 serves to turn large rotor 77. A plurality of circular brushes 85 are located on rotor 77. illustrates brushes 85 are rotated as shown by arrows 87 in the opposite direction from the turning motion 89 of the rotor 77 by a ng drive means for contrarotating brushes 85 with respect to rotor 77. Moreover, brushes 85 are rotated at signiﬁcantly higher revolutions per minute (RPM) than rotor 77 for producing a very us brush scrubbing action. For example, brushes 85 rotate more than seven times with respect to rug 57 for each full rotation of rotor 77. As a result, the brush ts or bristles in the peripheral region traveling very rapidly in a backward direction 87 relative to rotor 77 tend to lift up and to ﬂip over the matted pile of rug 57 thereby exposing and scrubbing its underside. Then, in interior regions 91 where brush elements or bristles are traveling in the same direction as rotor 77, they ﬂip the pile back into its original position for scrubbing it on the other side. Thus, the pile of rug 57 becomes thoroughly ed on its underside as well as on its upper side. A cyclic scrubbing action is produced ﬂipping the matted pile back and forth many times during one pass of machine 50.

Also positioned on rotor 77 are suction extraction nozzles 93 spaced between brushes 85 and communicating with discharge hose 69. Suction extraction nozzles 93 are ﬁxed to rotor 77 and each is provided with a relatively narrow vacuum extraction slot 95. Each vacuum extraction slot 95 is positioned coplanar with the ends of the brush elements or bristles of brushes 85 distal from rotor 77.

Also mounted on rotor 77 is a plurality of spray nozzle means 97 for dispensing cleaning or rinsing liquid. Each of spray nozzle means 97 can be mounted for angular ment so as to direct sprays of cleaning or rinsing liquid h individual nozzles 99 onto rug 57 at different angles. The cleaning or rinsing ﬂuid is conveyed to nozzle means 97 through line 67 which leads to a supply of ng or rinsing ﬂuid, such as either feed line 67 or solution ry tube 9. 31/10/13,op2357 onal speci,5 During operation of the cleaning device, rotor 77 s in the direction indicated by arrow 89. As the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto rug 57 h nozzles 99, rotating brushes 85 agitate the pile of rug 57 in conjunction with the cleaning liquid to loosen dirt in or on the surface. The spent cleaning liquid and loosened dirt are extracted up by the next succeeding suction extraction nozzle 93. Accordingly, the liquid—dwell-time is solely controlled by machine 50, and not by the rate at which the operator advances machine 50 over the ﬂoor.

However, known rotary surface cleaning tool are limited in their ability to effectively provide the desired cleaning of target ﬂoor surfaces and extraction of soiled cleaning liquid.

Y OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a rotary surface cleaning machine for cleaning ﬂoors, including both carpeted ﬂoors and uncarpeted hard ﬂoor surfaces including but not d to wood, tile, linoleum and l stone ﬂooring. The rotary surface cleaning machine has a rotary surface cleaning tool mounted on a frame and coupled for high speed rotary motion relative to the frame. The rotary surface cleaning tool has a substantially circular ional surface that ms the cleaning operation. The rotary surface ng tool is driven by an on-board power plant to rotate at a high rate. The rotary surface cleaning tool is coupled to a supply of pressurized hot liquid solution of ng ﬂuid and a powerful vacuum suction source.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a rotary surface cleaning e, comprising: a rotary surface cleaning tool coupled for high speed rotary motion relative to a frame member and further comprising a substantially ar operational surface; a plurality of arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles being angularly distributed across the operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and being coupled in ﬂuid communication with corresponding liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels of a cleaning ﬂuid distribution manifold portion of the rotary surface cleaning tool, wherein each of the ity of individual arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles further comprises a plurality of individual delivery spray s that are ntially radially oriented across an annular portion of the substantially 31/10/13,0p2357 divisional speci,6 circular operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool n an inner radial limit and an outer radial limit; and a plurality of suction extraction shoes being angularly distributed across the ional surface of the rotary surface ng tool and being projected therefrom alternately between the arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles, and each of the n extraction shoes further comprising a ﬂuid extraction passage communicating with a vacuum plenum through a vacuum manifold of the rotary surface cleaning tool, wherein an operational surface of each suction extraction shoe further comprises a plurality of suction relief s formed thereacross and oriented substantially perpendicular of the ﬂuid extraction passage thereof.

Other aspects of the invention are ed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more y appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: illustrates a typical prior art professional ﬂuid cleaning system of a type that is typically mounted in a van or truck for mobile servicing of carpets and ﬂooring in homes and businesses; illustrates s of operation of the typical truck-mounted ﬂuid cleaning system rated in illustrates one rotary surface cleaning and rinsing machine of the prior art; is r view of the rotary surface cleaning and rinsing machine of the prior art as illustrated in illustrates the rotary e cleaning machine of the invention for delivery of liquid cleaning ﬂuid to a target surface to be cleaned, such as either carpeting 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,7 or hard ﬂoor es including but not limited to wood, tile, linoleum and natural stone ﬂooring; is a side View of the rotary e cleaning machine illustrated in wherein a ity of suction extraction shoes are more clearly illustrated as being located on a rotary surface cleaning tool and projected from an open lower axial face of a housing dome; is a bottom View of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in and wherein the plurality of suction extraction shoes are more y illustrated as being located on the rotary surface cleaning tool in the open lower axial face of the housing dome; is another bottom View of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in and wherein a relatively narrow r suction or vacuum extraction passage is formed as a substantially continuous annular slot between the bottom cleaning surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and the housing dome at its lower axial face for closer approach to walls and other es ted from the ﬂoor; illustrates the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in FIGS. 5 h wherein the rotary surface ng tool is mounted on the support frame with an on-board power plant; is a partial cross-section view of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through n the rotary surface cleaning tool is mounted on the support frame through a rotary coupling; illustrates a relatively narrow annular suction or vacuum extraction passage formed as a substantially continuous annular slot between the bottom cleaning surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and the housing dome, and r illustrates an alternative vacuum plenum that is useful for cleaning trapped debris from the vacuum passage; 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,8 is an exploded View g operation of the alternative vacuum plenum of ; is another ed View showing ion of the alternative vacuum plenum of and ; illustrates the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through wherein the rotary surface cleaning tool is gly connected, for example but without limitation, by a drive gear to the rotary drive output of the rd power plant; A illustrates an upper coupling e of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine of the prior art; B illustrates an upper coupling surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through as r illustrated in , and further illustrates the vacuum manifold having an optional curved portion that actually tes a pumping action of the suction pressure; illustrates a bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through as further illustrated in and ; is a detail view of one embodiment of the suction extraction shoe of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through is a detailed cross-section view of one embodiment of the suction extraction shoe illustrated in , wherein the suction extraction shoe is shown as having a leading surface and a trailing e as a function of the rotational direction of the rotary surface cleaning tool; illustrates the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning e illustrated in through 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,‘) having the suction extraction shoe with an optional raised leading surface portion and a relatively lower trailing surface portion as illustrated in and ; illustrates bottom the operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through having a spiral pattern of cleaning on delivery spray nozzle arrays of individual delivery holes, wherein each spray nozzle array consists of one to about four dual delivery holes, and wherein the individual spray nozzle arrays are oned in a spiral pattern across the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool; A illustrates an alternative ration of the spiral pattern of cleaning solution ry spray nozzle arrays illustrated in ; is a detail View of another embodiment of the suction extraction shoe of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through wherein the leading surface does not include the optional raised portion but is rather substantially coplanar with the trailing surface, but the leading surface rather includes one or more bristle brushes in one or more rows arranged along an outermost portion thereof; is a detailed cross-section view of the embodiment of the suction extraction shoe illustrated in ; illustrates the operational surface of the rotary e ng tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through wherein the suction extraction shoes are conﬁgured with substantially coplanar leading and trailing surfaces, and the shoe leading es have one or more of the e brushes in one or more rows arranged along the outermost portions thereof; illustrates rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in h wherein each suction tion shoe is supported in the bottom operational e by a biasing means structured for individually biasing or “ﬂoating” each suction extraction shoe dly relative to the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool; 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,10 is a cross—section View of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through wherein the biasing means for individually g or “ﬂoating” each suction extraction shoe outwardly relative to the bottom ional surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool is structured, by e and without limitation, as a ent cushion, such as a closed-cell foam rubber cushion of about one-quarter inch thickness or thereabout, that is positioned between a ﬂange portion of each shoe and the rotary surface cleaning tool; is a detail View of another ment of the n extraction shoe of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through wherein each suction extraction shoe is structured for accomplishing the “washboard” scrubbing effect of the moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, independently of the next consecutive suction extraction shoe; is a detailed cross-section view of the embodiment of the n extraction shoe illustrated in , wherein the suction extraction shoe is shown as having the optional relatively lower or recessed portion formed on the leading surface and the relatively raised portion is formed on the trailing e as a function of the ed clockwise rotational direction of the rotary surface cleaning tool; and illustrates the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through having the suction extraction shoe formed with the al relatively lower or recessed surface portion on its leading surface, and the optional vely raised surface portion formed on the trailing surface as rated in and .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements. rates a rotary surface cleaning machine 100 of a type for delivery of liquid cleaning ﬂuid to a target surface to be cleaned, such as either carpeting 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,l l or hard ﬂoor surfaces including but not limited to wood, tile, linoleum and natural stone ﬂooring. Rotary e cleaning machine 100 is coupled to draw liquid cleaning ﬂuid through cleaning solution delivery tube 9 from a supply 23 of liquid cleaning solution in the cabinet 17.

Rotary surface cleaning machine 100 is optionally a stand-alone unit coupled to a supply of rized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid and a having an on-board motor or other power plant coupled for driving a fan assembly for ting a suction as, for example, rotary tool for cleaning surfaces disclosed by US. Pat. No. 4,182,001, which is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, rotary surface cleaning machine 100 is part of a truck-mounted ﬂuid cleaning system such as illustrated in and and disclosed in US. Pat. 6,243,914, which is incorporated herein by reference.

When part of a truck-mounted ﬂuid cleaning system, rotary surface cleaning machine 100 is coupled to vacuum return hose 19 and mounted vacuum source 25 by means of an exhaust pipe or hose 102 coupled to an exhaust port 104. Fluid extraction suction is generated by the vacuum force supplied by vacuum source 25. Soiled cleaning ﬂuid extracted from carpet or rug 57 is drawn off h exhaust port 104 and carried through ﬂexible vacuum return hose 19 to main waste receptacle 3. [005 7] As illustrated here by example and without limitation, rotary surface cleaning machine 100 includes a support frame member 106, which may be ted by a wheel assembly 108. Support frame 106 carries a substantially circular housing dome 110 having its lower axial face open at 112 with this face 112 being disposed substantially parallel to the surface which is to be cleaned, such as rug 57. A lly mounted handle assembly 114 is used by the operator during operation for manipulating machine 100.

Handle assembly 114 supports one or more operating control mechanisms mounted thereon for the convenience of the operator. For e, one ﬂow l mechanism 116 regilates ﬂow of cleaning ﬂuid through cleaning solution delivery tube 9. A conventional quick connection can be used for supplying the liquid cleaning on. r vacuum control mechanism 118 can be used to regulate the suction tion of spent cleaning liquid and loosened dirt. A rotary control mechanism 120 can be used to te the starting and stopping of the rotary surface cleaning tool through control of an on-board 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,12 power plant 122, such as an electric motor or other power plant, mounted on support frame 106.

A rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is conﬁgured as a large rotor that is journaled with t frame 106 for high speed rotary motion within housing dome 110.

On-board power plant 122 is coupled for driving the high speed rotary motion of rotary surface cleaning tool 124.

A plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 are located on rotary surface cleaning tool 124 and project from open lower axial face 112 of housing dome 110. Each suction extraction shoe 126 is coupled in ﬂuid communication with vacuum source 25 through exhaust port 104 and exhaust pipe or hose 102 for the suction extraction of spent cleaning liquid and loosened dirt. is a side view of the rotary surface cleaning e 100 illustrated in wherein the plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 are more clearly illustrated as being located on rotary surface ng tool 124 and projected from open lower axial face 112 ofhousing dome 110. is a bottom view of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in and wherein the plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 are more clearly illustrated as being located on rotary e cleaning tool 124 in open lower axial face 112 of housing dome 110.

As sed herein, a rotary drive output 128 of on-board power plant 122 is coupled for driving the high speed rotary motion of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. For example, rotary surface ng tool 124 is rotationally mounted within g dome 110 and is drivingly connected, for example but without limitation by any of: a drive belt, a drive chain, or a drive gear, to rotary drive output 128 of on-board power plant 122 mounted on frame 106. Here, by example and without tion, rotary drive output 128 of on-board power plant 122 is a drive gear coupled to drive a circumferential tooth gear 130 disposed about the circumference of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Accordingly, drive means alternative to the rotary gear drive disclosed herein by example and without limitation are also contemplated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope 13,op2357 divisional speci,l3 and intent of the t invention. Power plant 122 thus serves to turn rotary surface cleaning tool 124 at a high speed rotary motion under the l of rotary control mechanism 120.

Rotary surface cleaning tool 124 includes a plurality of arrays 132 of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles each d in ﬂuid connection to the pressurized ﬂow of cleaning ﬂuid delivered h cleaning solution delivery tube 9.

Spray nozzle arrays 132 deliver pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid to target carpeting or hard ﬂoor e. Spray nozzle arrays 132 are distributed on rotary surface cleaning tool 124 in groups positioned between the plurality of suction extraction shoes 126. Accordingly, when rotary surface cleaning tool 124 turns at 150 RPM during operation, each spray nozzle array 132 delivers the pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid to the target ﬂoor surface at least one, two or more times each second.

Consecutively with arrays 132 of spray nozzles, each of the plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 also covers the same area of the target ﬂoor as spray nozzle arrays 132 at least one, two or more times each second. rmore, each of the plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 includes a relatively narrow suction or vacuum extraction passage 136 oriented substantially radially of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. illustrates a relatively narrow r auxiliary suction or vacuum extraction passage 136a formed as a substantially continuous annular slot between bottom cleaning surface of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 and housing dome 110 at lower axial face 112 thereof. Auxiliary annular suction or vacuum extraction passage 136a is coupled in ﬂuid communication with vacuum source 25 through exhaust port 104 and exhaust pipe or hose 102 for the suction extraction of spent cleaning liquid and loosened dirt. Auxiliary r suction or vacuum_extraction passage 136a is positioned adjacent to an outermost surface of housing dome 110, which permits minimum approach distance to walls and other surfaces ted from the ﬂoor or rug 57. Accordingly, housing dome 110 of the invention having ary annular vacuum tion passage 136a in combination with the ity of suction or vacuum extraction passages 136 oriented substantially radially of rotary surface ng tool 124 is a signiﬁcant novel improvement over conventional vacuum extraction structures of the prior art as to be an independently patentable feature, as discussed in more detail herein below. Furthermore, auxiliary vacuum extraction slot l3,op2357 divisional speci,l4 136a need not completely surround rotary surface ng tool 124 to be ive. For example, auxiliary vacuum extraction slot 136a need not extend into area adjacent to support frame member 106 under mounted handle assembly 114. illustrates the rotary surface cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, wherein rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is mounted on support frame 106 with on-board power plant 122. Here, by e and without limitation, rotary drive output 128 of on—board power plant 122 is a drive gear coupled to drive circumferential tooth gear 130 disposed about the circumference of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. However, as disclosed , drive means alternative to the rotary gear drive are also contemplated and may be tuted t deviating from the scope and intent of the present ion. is a partial cross—section View of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in through wherein rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is mounted on t frame 106 through a rotary coupling. For example, rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is mounted through a cylindrical sleeve extension 138 of a rotor hub member 140 that is journaled in a bushing 142.

Each of the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132 is coupled in ﬂuid communication with the pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid h a cleaning ﬂuid distribution manifold 144 that is in ﬂuid communication with cleaning solution delivery tube 9. Cleaning ﬂuid distribution manifold 144 includes a central spiue hole 146 for receiving the pressurized cleaning ﬂuid and an expansion chamber 148 for reducing the pressure of the cleaning ﬂuid to below a delivery pressure provided by the supply of pressurized cleaning on, such as but not limited to supply 23 of pressurized cleaning on in the cabinet 17 of a truck-mounted system, or another supply of pressurized cleaning solution. Expansion chamber 148 is connected for distributing the liquid cleaning ﬂuid outward along a ity of radial liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150 for delivery by the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132 uniformly distributed across bottom cleaning surface 72 of rotary e cleaning tool 124. Individual radial cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150 are uniformly angularly distributed within rotary surface cleaning tool 124, wherein each of cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,15 communicates with one of the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132 for delivery thereto of the pressurized hot liquid solution of ng ﬂuid. Radial liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150 are optionally ed to an outer circumference 124a of the large rotor of surface cleaning tool 124 for ease of manufacturing, and later sealed with plugs 151.

Between adjacent arrays 132 of spray nozzles are distributed radially-oriented suction or vacuum extraction passage 136 each coupled to a vacuum source for retrieving a quantity of soiled cleaning ﬂuid. Radially—oriented plurality of suction extraction shoes 126 are uniformly distributed angularly about rotary surface cleaning tool 124 for uniformly angularly distributing the suction or vacuum tion passages 136 about rotary surface ng tool 124. Exhaust port 104 icates with a vacuum plenum 152 within rotor hub member 140, which in tum communicates through respective suction extraction shoes 126 with each n or vacuum extraction passage 136. For e, radially-oriented suction or vacuum extraction passages 136 communicate through individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154 of a vacuum manifold 155 that each communicate in turn with a substantially cylindrical l vacuum passage 156 within rotor hub member 140. Central vacuum passage 156 communicates at its upper end through vacuum plenum 152 and exhaust port 104 with exhaust pipe or hose 102.

As indicated by rotational arrow 158, rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is rotated at high speed during application of cleaning solution to the target surface. Rotary surface cleaning tool 124 successfully delivers a generally m distribution of liquid cleaning solution to a target surface, such as rug 57, n the quantity of arrays 132 of spray nozzles and the large number of passes, i.e. at least one, two or more passes second, of each spray nozzle array 132 occasioned by the high rotational speed rotary surface cleaning tool 124 regardless of any lack of uniformity in the taneous ﬂuid delivery of any individual spray nozzle array 132. Additionally, the instantaneous ﬂuid delivery of each individual spray nozzles array 132 tends to be generally uniform at least because the length of the spray nozzle array 132 is minimal as compared with the size of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. 31/10/13,01)2357 divisional speci,16 illustrates auxiliary annular suction or vacuum extraction passage 136a formed as a ntially annular slot between outer circumference 124a of surface cleaning tool 124 and circumferential skirt 111 of housing dome 110 adjacent to its lower axial face 112. Annular vacuum extraction passage 136a icates with central vacuum passage 156 within rotor hub member 140. By example and without limitation, annular vacuum extraction passage 136a communicates with central vacuum passage 156 through extensions 157 formed in one or more individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154 and through outer circumference 124a of surface ng tool 124. As discussed herein, individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154 each communicate in turn with central vacuum passage 156 within rotor hub member 140, whereby annular vacuum extraction passage 136a communicates with central vacuum passage 156 and exhaust port 104.

Alternatively, annular vacuum extraction passage 136a communicates with a vacuum passage 136b formed between housing dome 110 and vacuum manifold cover 159 which is fixed to top of surface cleaning tool 124 and seals individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154. Vacuum passage 136b communicates with central vacuum passage 156 within rotor hub member 140 either indirectly through one or more vacuum manifold apertures 161 formed through_vacuum manifold cover 159 in ication with individual vacuum ld branch passages 154, else directly through one or more vacuum passage apertures 163 formed in direct communication with central vacuum passage 156 ly through cylindrical sleeve extension 138 of rotor hub member 140.

According to yet another alternative, vacuum e 136b communicates directly to a second independent exhaust port 104a that is coupled through a portion 113 of housing dome 110, exhaust port 104a is in turn coupled to mounted vacuum source 25 by means of either exhaust hose 102 or another exhaust hose, whereby vacuum pressure is not reduced in vacuum manifold branch passages 154 and vacuum extraction es 136 communicating therewith. Other means for coupling annular vacuum extraction e 136a in ication with central vacuum passage 156 or directly with either exhaust hose 102 or another exhaust hose are also plated and may be included and or substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the t invention. 13,op2357 divisional speci,l7 According to one embodiment, at least circumferential skirt 111 of housing dome 110 forming annular vacuum extraction passage 136a is formed of a resiliently pliable material, such as a plastic or rubber material. The material is pliable enough to collapse skirt 111 of housing dome 110 when cleaning machine 100 is forced into contact with an ble object, such as a wall. Yet the material is resilient enough to substantially automatically reform sed skirt 111 and annular vacuum tion passage 136a when cleaning machine 100 is moved away from contact such immovable object. Accordingly, cleaning machine 100 can be moved closely enough to such immovable s that spray nozzle arrays 132 and suction tion shoes 126 of cleaning tool 124 can be positioned almost directly against a wall for cleaning solution delivery and retrieval. This ﬂexibility of circumferential skirt 111 of housing dome 110 is thus advantageous, for example, for cleaning wall-to-wall carpet. also illustrates an alternative vacuum plenum 152a communicating with central vacuum passage 156, for e at an upper portion thereof. Alternative vacuum plenum 152a is useful for emptying and cleaning central vacuum passage 156 during operation of rotary surface cleaning e 100. Alternative vacuum plenum 152a optionally includes means 218 for visually inspecting central vacuum passage 156. For example, visual inspecting means 218 is formed as a visually clear sight window set into a side wall 220 of alternative vacuum plenum 152a. Else, in another example, visual inspecting means 218 is provided as all, or at least a portion of side wall 220 of alternative vacuum plenum 152a being formed substantially entirely of a visually clear material, such as glass or a ly clear polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polycarbonate material, whereby l vacuum passage 156 is clearly visible through some or ntially all of vacuum plenum side wall 220. Visual inspecting means 218 is a unique attribute of alternative vacuum plenum 152a. In inventor’s long years and vast ence, prior art vacuum plenums have all been opaque whereby operator must determine levels of olved dust, dirt and debris entrapped in the vacuum plenum either by physically disassembling the vacuum plenum for visual inspection, else by noticing a reduction in the suction level at the suction extraction ports. Either prior art means for determining a build-up of entrapped contaminants at least reduces efﬁciency of the cleaning tool, and may be detrimental to the cleaning tool, and potentially to the entire cleaning system. Therefore, vacuum plenum_visual inspecting means 218 of the present invention ageously 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci, l 8 provides both increased cleaning efﬁciency of rotary surface cleaning machine 100, and means for protecting rotary surface cleaning machine 100 from damage, as from clogging or even possible over g. r advantageous unique attribute of alternative vacuum plenum 152a is a removable vacuum inlet cap assembly 230 which operates as a clean-out for advantageously emptying and cleaning central vacuum e 156 during operation of rotary surface cleaning machine 100, whereby rotary surface ng machine 100 is provided with increased cleaning efﬁciency and protection from damage, as from clogging or even le over heating. For example, removable vacuum inlet cap ly 230 includes a removable machined or molded inlet cap 232 that ﬁts over a substantially round open end 152b of tubular alternative vacuum plenum 152a. Inlet cap 232 is formed with a stem or plug 234 that is sized to enter into and mate with open end 152b of tubular alternative vacuum plenum 152a. Inlet cap 232 is stiuctured to seal open end 152b of vacuum plenum 152a. For e, cap plug 234 is formed with one or more seal seats 236 each sized to receive a seal 238 which is compressed between cap plug 234 and open end 152b of vacuum plenum 152a. For example, seal seats 236 each accept thereinto an elastomeric o-1ing seal 238 sized to be compressed between cap plug 234 and open end 152b of vacuum plenum 152a. Alternatively, inlet cap 232 is sized to ﬁt outside diameter of side wall 220 of vacuum plenum 152a similarly to a lid ﬁtting a jar, wherein one or more seal seats 236 are formed into inner e of lid side wall similarly to lid screw threads, and o-ring seals 238 are ﬁt into seal seats 236 and compressed between lid inner side wall and outer surface of side wall 220 of vacuum plenum 152a. ing to another alternative, whether inlet cap 232 has cap plug 234 sized to ﬁt into open end 152b of tubular alternative vacuum plenum 152a, or has external wall sized to ﬁt outside diameter of side wall 220, underside of inlet cap 232 is alternatively formed with one or more seal seats 236 and one or more seals 238 are positioned between underside of inlet cap 232 and top surface of vacuum plenum side wall 220 at open end 152b of r alternative vacuum plenum 152a, which seals 238 are ssed between inlet cap 232 and vacuum plenum side wall 220 as by negative pressure of vacuum in central vacuum passage 156 during operation of rotary surface cleaning machine 100. Inlet cap 232 is thus retained in connection with alternative vacuum plenum 152a by application of negative pressure of vacuum in central vacuum passage 156 during operation of rotary surface cleaning 31/10/13,0p2357 divisional speci,l9 machine 100, and seal 238 maintains the negative vacuum pressure in vacuum passage 156, whereby no mechanical tion is required. Furthermore, because no mechanical connection, i.e., clamp or s, is necessary between inlet cap 232 and alternative vacuum plenum 152a, inlet cap 232 is readily removable from alternative vacuum plenum 152a as soon as negative vacuum re is released from vacuum e 156 and seal 238 is broken. In other words, inlet cap 232 is just pulled off of alternative vacuum plenum 152a as soon as vacuum is cut from vacuum passage 156, or rotary surface cleaning machine 100 is shut down, without releasing any clamps or wing any joints.

According to another aspect of ble vacuum inlet cap assembly 230, ng solution delivery tube 9 is inserted through an aperture 240 formed through inlet cap 232, for example substantially at the center thereof. Delivery tube 9 is sealed in aperture 240 of inlet cap 232, for e by a threaded joint, an o-ring joint, or another sealed coupling 242 therebetween.

Delivery tube 9 is removably extended through central vacuum passage 156 into cleaning ﬂuid expansion chamber 148 of cleaning ﬂuid distribution manifold 144 through a sealing plate 244 thereof positioned between vacuum passage 156 and cleaning ﬂuid expansion chamber 148. Delivery tube 9 is removably extended into ng ﬂuid expansion chamber 148 through an another sealing coupling 246 and forms central sprue hole 146. For example, a smooth tubular end 9a of delivery tube 9 distal of inlet cap 232 extends through an aperture 248 in a hub or stem portion 250 of sealing plate 244 in sealed coupling 246. For example, sealing coupling 246 includes one or more seals which are compressed in aperture 248 between ry tube 9 and stem portion 250 of sealing plate 244. Here, sealed coupling is one, two, three (shown) or more elastomeric o-ring seals compressed between delivery tube 9 and stem portion 250 of sealing plate 244, whereby smooth tubular end 9a of ry tube 9 is slidably able with sealed coupling 246 in sealing plate 244 simply by pushing inlet cap 232 into engagement with open end 152b of alternative vacuum plenum 152a. se, smooth tubular end 9a of delivery tube 9 is slidably disengageable from sealed coupling 246 with sealing plate 244 simply by pulling inlet cap 232 from open end 152b of alternative vacuum plenum 152a, as disclosed herein. 31/10/13,0p2357 divisional speci,20 is an exploded View showing smooth tubular end 9a of delivery tube 9 slidingly withdrawn from aperture 248 in stem portion 250 of sealing plate 244 and disengaged from sealing coupling 246 therewith when vacuum inlet cap assembly 230 is at least partly removed from alternative vacuum plenum 152a. illustrates one novel attribute of removable vacuum inlet assembly 230 operating with alternative vacuum plenum 152a, which novel attribute is an y to easily and ntially automatically clean up hair, ﬁbers and other debris 252 from a position wrapped and twisted around solution delivery tube 9. Inventor has determined a cy for longer hair, ﬁbers and other debris to twist around delivery tube 9 where it passes h vacuum passage 156. Such elongated contaminants are sucked into vacuum passage 156 through shoe vacuum extraction passages 136 and annular suction or vacuum extraction e 136a during operation of rotary surface cleaning machine 100. Build-up of such long ﬁbers can exacerbate entrapment of smaller contaminants that can reduce efﬁciency of the cleaning tool, and may be detrimental to the cleaning tool, and potentially to the entire ng system, as disclosed herein. Therefore, it is beneﬁcial to the ional efﬁciency and longevity of rotary surface cleaning machine 100 to clean delivery tube 9 of such longer hair, ﬁbers and other debris as become wrapped and twisted there around. To this end, delivery tube 9 is substantially smooth over a lengthwise n 9b thereof between inlet cap 232 of vacuum inlet assembly 230 and smooth tubular distal end 9a of delivery tube 9. Lengthwise portion 9b of delivery tube 9 may be substantially straight, as shown, or may taper toward distal end 9a. Inventor has determined that such contaminants may be easily d from lengthwise portion 9b of delivery tube 9 by operation of vacuum suction source 25. It has been determined that merely presenting distal end 9a of delivery tube 9 to vacuum suction source 25, whereby built-up hair, ﬁbers and other debris 252 are sucked from smooth lengthwise portion 9b of delivery tube 9 over smooth distal end 9a.

Accordingly, alternative vacuum plenum 152a of the invention having removable vacuum inlet cap ly 230 is a signiﬁcant novel improvement over conventional vacuum plenums of the prior art as to be an independently patentable feature. 3 l/l0/l3,op2357 divisional speci,21 illustrates rotary e cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning e 100 illustrated in through n rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is drivingly ted, for example but without limitation, by a drive gear to rotary drive output 128 of on-board power plant 122. Here, by example and without limitation, rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is a large rotor that is ﬁxedly attached to a rotary drive member 160 through a ﬁxed coupling 162, such as a plurality of threaded fasteners (shown) or other conventional ﬁxed ng means. Rotary drive member includes circumferential tooth gear 130 disposed about the circumference thereof for operating as the drive gear coupled to rotary drive output 128 of on-board power plant 122.

Rotary drive member 160 is mounted to cylindrical sleeve extension 138 of rotor hub member 140 that is in turn journaled in bushing 142. See, for example, The large rotor of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is ﬁtted with central sprue hole 146 and includes expansion chamber 148 and the plurality of individual closed liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150, as well as the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132 that are uniformly distributed across the bottom cleaning surface of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. The large rotor of rotary surface ng tool 124 also includes individual vacuum manifold branch es 154 that each communicate in turn with central vacuum passage 156 of rotor hub member 140, as well as the plurality suction or vacuum extraction passages 136 of tive suction extraction shoes 126 located on rotary e cleaning tool 124 and projected from open lower axial face 112 of housing dome 110. illustrates vacuum manifold 155 formed in an upper coupling surface 164 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine illustrated in through as further illustrated in . The large rotor of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is again illustrated as including expansion chamber 148 and the plurality of dual closed liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution channels 150 that communicate with the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132 distributed across the bottom cleaning surface of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Here, rotary drive member 160 is removed to more clearly show vacuum manifold 155 having individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154 that each communicate in turn with central vacuum passage 156 of rotor hub member 140. Each individual vacuum manifold branch e 154 terminates in a ﬂuid extraction e 166 of about identical radial lengths 168 positioned adjacent 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,22 the circumference of the large rotor of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. In ly, each shoe 126 is coupled to the lower face of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 with respective suction or vacuum extraction passages 136 in communication with a respective ﬂuid extraction passage 166 of one of the individual vacuum manifold branch passages 154. As illustrated here by example and without limitation, dual vacuum manifold branch es 154 ally include a curved portion 170 inwardly of respective ﬂuid extraction passage 166. Optional curved portion 170 of vacuum manifold branch passages 154, when present, operate to urge generation of a Coriolis effect in a suction or vacuum ﬂuid extraction eam received into central vacuum passage 156 of rotor hub member 140.

A illustrates one rotary surface cleaning tool 125 of a rotary surface cleaning machine of the prior art having a vacuum manifold 123, n individual vacuum manifold branch passages 127 each communicate with a central vacuum passage (not shown) through an expansion chamber 129. As illustrated here, vacuum manifold branch passages 127 each form a ntially straight radial passages radiating from central expansion chamber 129 to ﬂuid extraction passages 131. Suction action (arrows 133) generated by vacuum source 25 operates to pull air and soiled liquid cleaning ﬂuid inwardly away from ﬂuid extraction passages 131 and toward l expansion chamber 129. However, centrifugal force (arrows 135) generated by high speed rotary motion (arrow 139) of rotary surface cleaning tool 125 aneously operates to push such air and soiled liquid cleaning ﬂuid outwardly away from central expansion chamber 129 and toward ﬂuid extraction passages 131. Thus, in prior art machines, centrifugal force (arrows 135) of rotary e cleaning tool 125 generated by its high speed rotary motion (arrow 139) operates oppositely in vacuum manifold branch passages 127 from suction action (arrows 133) generated by vacuum source 25. Therefore, centrifugal force s 135) of rotary surface cleaning tool 125 opposes and actually reduces the force of suction action (arrows 133) which is relied upon by the rotary surface cleaning e for retrieving the soiled cleaning ﬂuid. In effect, the centrifugal force (arrows 135) of rotary surface cleaning tool 125 opposes and ly reduces the effectiveness of the rotary surface cleaning machine by reducing the force of suction action (arrows 133) for retrieving the soiled cleaning ﬂuid since suction action force (arrows 133) must ﬁrst overcome centrifugal force (arrows 135) of rotary e cleaning tool 125 before operating to extract soiled liquid 31/l0/l3,op2357 divisional speci,23 cleaning ﬂuid from carpet 57 and pull extracted cleaning ﬂuid inwardly away from ﬂuid extraction passages 131 Referring again to , in contrast to prior art rotary surface cleaning tools wherein vacuum manifold branch passages 127 t of substantially straight radial passages ing from central expansion chamber 129 to ﬂuid extraction passages 131, the present invention rather provides optional curved portion 170 that, when actually generates a pumping action (arrows 270) of the suction re generated in vacuum manifold branch passages 154 by vacuum source 25. Pumping action 270 is actually driven by centrifugal force (arrow 135) generated by high speed rotary motion (arrow 139) of rotary surface cleaning tool 125, y centrifugal force (arrow 135) operates in combination with shape of curved portion 170 to accelerate extracted air and soiled liquid cleaning ﬂuid y inwardly away from ﬂuid extraction passages 131 and toward central expansion chamber 129. Accordingly, curved portion 170 of vacuum manifold branch passages 154 of the invention is a signiﬁcant novel improvement over the substantially straight radial vacuum manifold branch es 127 of the prior art as to be an independently patentable feature. illustrates a bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in through as further illustrated in and . The large rotor of rotary e cleaning tool 124 is again illustrated as including expansion chamber 148 and the plurality of dual closed liquid ng ﬂuid distribution channels 150 that communicate with the pluralities of spray nozzle arrays 132 buted across the bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Spray nozzle arrays 132 are illustrated here by example and without limitation as radially oriented arrays of pluralities of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 of about 0.01 to about 0.03 inch in diameter formed through bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124, for example by mechanical, chemical or laser drilling, into communication with respective individual closed liquid cleaning ﬂuid distribution ls 150 for delivery therethrough of the pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid. As illustrated here by e and without limitation, each spray nozzle array 132 consists of a plurality of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 substantially uniformly buted over a substantially identical annular 31/10/13,op2357 onal speci,24 portion 176 of bottom operational surface 172 extended between an inner radial limit 178 and an outer radial limit 180 thereof, wherein annular portion 176 covered by delivery spray nozzles 174 has about the same radial extents as radial length 168 of ﬂuid extraction passages 166 of suction tion shoes 126, and wherein inner radial limit 178 is about identical with an inner terminus 166a of ﬂuid tion passages 166 and outer radial limit 180 is about identical with an outer terminus 166b of ﬂuid extraction passages 166.

Therefore, delivery spray nozzles 174 are distributed over annular portion 176 that is substantially radially coextensive with ﬂuid extraction passages 166.

Each individual ﬂuid extraction passage 166 is positioned adjacent to the circumference of the large rotor of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 and oriented substantially radially thereof approximately halfway between adjacent cleaning solution delivery spray nozzle arrays 132. As rated here by example and without limitation, each individual ﬂuid extraction passage 166 is positioned in a shoe recess 182 formed into rotary surface cleaning tool 124 below bottom operational surface 172 thereof. Each shoe recess 182 is appropriately sized and shaped to receive thereinto one suction extraction shoe 126 with its surrounding ﬂange n 184 being substantially ﬂush with bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124.

Optionally, a ity of lightening holes or recesses 186 are provided to reduce the weight of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. is a detail View of one embodiment of n extraction shoe 126 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in through As sed herein above, n tion shoe 126 is structured to sit in recess 182 ﬂush or below bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface ng tool 124. Accordingly, ﬂange portion 184 surrounding each suction tion shoe 126 is structured for being fixed to bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 within shoe recess 182. Optionally, suction extraction shoe 126 may include a sealing member 187 structured to ﬁt into preformed slots in bottom ional surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 and form a ntially airtight seal therewith to concentrate the force of the ﬂuid extraction suction generated by the vacuum force supplied by vacuum source 25 into individual ﬂuid extraction passages 136 of shoes 126. 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,25 Here, n extraction shoe 126 is shown as having a leading surface 188 and a trailing surface 190 as a function of the rotational direction (arrow 158) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. As shown here, leading surface 188 is shown by example and without limitation as having an optional relatively raised portion 192 thereof that stands out r from bottom operational surface 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 than a relatively lower or recessed portion 194 of trailing surface 190. When optional raised portion 192 of suction extraction shoe 126 is present, optional raised portion 192 of suction tion shoe 126 causes a “washboard” scrubbing effect of a moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, wherein up—down oscillations of the moveable carpet are caused by alternate application of vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet 57. In other words, the target carpet 57 is initially sucked up toward recessed ng portion 194 of shoe 126 and operational surface 172 by one suction extraction passage 136, and then squeezed back down by optional raised portion 192 of leading surface 188 of a next consecutive suction tion shoe 126, as illustrated in , before being immediately sucked up again by the suction extraction passage 136 of the same next utive suction extraction shoe 126. This alternate vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet 57 is repeated by each next consecutive suction tion shoe 126 as a function of the combination of recessed ng portion 194 and raised leading surface portion 192. Since rotary surface cleaning tool 124 turns at a high speed rotary motion these up-down oscillations of the moveable carpet are repeated at least one, two or several times each second, which results in significantly aggressive agitation of the target carpet 57 in combination with the fluid cleaning.

Alternatively, onal direction (arrow 158) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is reversed, y optional raised portion 192 is positioned on ng surface 190 as a function of the reversed rotational ion (arrow 158a shown in Figure 15).

Accordingly, the oard” scrubbing effect of the moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, is accomplished by the recessed leading surface 188 and optional raised portion 192 of each suction extraction shoe 126 in turn. Furthermore, as illustrated here each suction extraction shoe 126 optionally further includes an extension portion 126a that overhangs an outer end portion 184a of its surrounding ﬂange portion 184. Extension portion 126a permits extraction passages 136 to extend radially outwardly of cleaning tool operational surface 172 beyond the radial extent of ﬂuid extraction passages 166 of rotary 13,op2357 divisional speci,26 surface ng tool 124. Accordingly, when optional extension portion 126a is present, suction extraction passages 136 extend nearly to outer circumference 124a of the large rotor of surface cleaning tool 124, as illustrated in . is a detailed cross-section view of one embodiment of suction tion shoe 126 illustrated in , wherein suction extraction shoe 126 is shown as having leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 as a function of the rotational direction (arrow 158) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. As shown here, leading e 188 is shown by example and without limitation as having optional raised portion 192 thereof that stands out further from bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 than vely lower or recessed portion 194 of trailing surface 190. illustrates bottom operational surface 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 illustrated in through having suction extraction shoe 126 with al raised surface portion 192 formed on leading e 188 and relatively lower or recessed surface portion 194 formed on trailing surface 190 as illustrated in and . Here, suction extraction shoe 126 is rated having optional raised surface portion 192 leading and relatively lower or recessed surface portion 194 trailing as a function of the optional counterclockwise rotational direction (arrow 15 8) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. It will be understood that suction extraction shoes 126 and rotational direction 158 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is optional and can be ed such that the functional g surface 188 and functional trailing surface 190 portions thereof are maintained. Accordingly, reversal of onal ionality 158 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 disclosed herein by example and without limitation is also plated and may be substituted without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention. Suction extraction shoe 126 are attached to bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 by attachment means 196, such as but not limited to one or more threaded ers.

Furthermore, during rotational direction (arrow 158) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 wherein leading surface 188 of suction extraction shoe 126 includes relatively raised portion 192, relatively raised portion 192 of leading surface 188 operates to compress or squeeze carpet 57 down upon passing, while relatively recessed portion 194 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,27 of trailing surface 190 permits vacuum source 25 through operating through vacuum extraction passage 136 to lift carpet 57.

Alternatively, during opposite rotational direction (arrow 158a shown in Figure 15) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 wherein leading surface 188 of n extraction shoe 126 includes relatively recessed n 194, relatively ed portion 194 of leading surface 188 permits vacuum source 25 through ing through vacuum extraction passage 136 to lift carpet 57, while relatively raised portion 192 of trailing surface 190 es to compress or squeeze carpet 57 down upon passing. Therefore, regardless of rotational direction (arrow 158 or arrow 158a) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124, each individual suction extraction shoe 126 having relatively raised and recessed portions 192, 194 ﬁrrther operates as a scrub board for ting a “washboard” scrubbing effect on the moveable carpet 57 by alternately compressing and lifting thereof.

Accordingly, suction extraction shoe 126 of the invention having the combination of relatively raised and ed portions 192, 194 is a significant novel improvement over conventional suction extraction shoes of the prior art as to be an independently patentable feature. illustrates bottom operational surface 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 rated in h having a spiral pattern of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzle arrays 132 of individual delivery spray nozzles 174, wherein each spray nozzle array 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d and 1326 is shorter in extent than annular portion 176. For e, each spray nozzle array 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d and 132e consists of one to about four individual delivery spray nozzles 174, and wherein individual spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e are positioned in a spiral pattern 198 across bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 that is substantially radially coextensive with radial lengths 137 of ﬂuid tion passages 136 of shoes 126 between the extremes of annular portion 176 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180. The spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle array 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e optionally proceeds in a uniform stepwise manner around bottom operational surface 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124, with nozzle array 132a being nearest to a center point 200 of operational surface 172 and substantially radially coextensive with inner radial limit 178 and each consecutive nozzle array 132a, 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,28 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e stepping further outwardly therefrom toward outer radial limit 180 of operational surface 172. Alternatively, the stepwise manner of spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e alternatively proceeds in a non—uniform manner (shown) wherein one or more of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e is optionally out of step with an adjacent one of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e. Thus, spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e is optionally either uniformly stepwise n inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180 of radial lengths 168 of ﬂuid extraction es 136 of shoes 126, else spiral pattern 198 proceeds in a non-uniform manner. Spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e proceeds in either a clockwise manner n inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180 of radial lengths 137 of fluid extraction passages 136 of shoes 126, else spiral pattern 198 proceeds in a counterclockwise manner without ing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 1320 is effective for delivery of ng solution at least because, as disclosed herein, rotary surface cleaning tool 124 turns at a high rate during operation, whereby each spray nozzle array 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e delivers the pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid to the target ﬂoor surface at least one, two or more times each second. rmore, dividing spray nozzle arrays 132 into several spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e reduces the number of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 that have to be drilled or otherwise formed through bottom operational e 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 by a factor of the number of spray nozzle arrays 132 otherwise provided in rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Here, as illustrated in , there are five radial rows of spray nozzle arrays 132 across operational surface 172. By ng spray nozzle arrays 132 into several spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 1320, the total number of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 that have to be provided in bottom operational surface 172 is reduced by a factor of ﬁve, so that only one-ﬁfth or twenty percent of the number of delivery spray nozzles 174 that have to be provided in bottom operational surface 172. ry spray nozzles 174 are very expensive to drill or otherwise form because they are only about 0.02 inch in er. ore, a large cost savings is gained, while the delivery of cleaning solution does not suffer. A further advantage of dividing spray nozzle arrays 132 into several spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 1320 is that the 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,29 cleaning solution is delivered with substantially m pressure across the entire radius of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180, without resorting to special design features normally required in the prior art to provide uniform pressure across each spray nozzle arrays 132 that extends all of the entire annular portion 176 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180 and substantially radially coextensively with ﬂuid extraction passages 136 of n extraction shoes 126. Therefore, the optional spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 132C, 132d, 132e, when present, provides both the economic advantage not known in the prior art of g fewer expensive delivery spray nozzles 174 for multiple spray nozzle arrays 132 provide across the entire length of annular portion 176 coextensively with ﬂuid extraction passages 136 of shoes 126, and the technological advantage not known in the prior art of ing substantially m cleaning on delivery pressure across bottom operational surface 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 for the entire length of r n 176 without developing special ﬂuid delivery features normally required in the prior art.

Optionally, one or more bristle brushes 202 may be provided across bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface ng tool 124 adjacent to cleaning solution delivery spray nozzle arrays 132, or the optional spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 1320, 132d, 132e, when present. e brushes 202 may be provided substantially radially coextensively with ﬂuid extraction passages 136 of suction extraction shoes 126 and either adjacent cleaning solution delivery spray nozzle arrays 132, or the optional spiral pattern 198 of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 132C, 132d, 132e, when present. ally, either multiple radial rows bristle brushes 202 may be provided, else single radial rows of bristle brushes 202 may be provided. Bristle brushes 202 both (1) te ﬁbers of rug 57 for dry l of dust, dirt and other particles, and (2) provide a more aggressive cleaning action in cleaning when provided in combination with ﬂuid cleaning of carpet or other target ﬂooring surface.

A illustrates bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 having an alternative configuration of the spiral pattern of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzle arrays 132 of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 from that shown in , with or without brushes 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,30 202. Here, at least one or more of the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, 132C, 132d and 132e is shorter in extent than annular portion 176, and at least one or more of the plurality of spray nozzle arrays 132a, 132b, l32c, 132d and 132e is replaced by array 132 that across ntially the entire annular portion 176 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180, as illustrated for example in .

For example, spray nozzle arrays 132b, 132C, 132d are shorter in extent than annular portion 176 and each consists of one to about four (three shown) individual delivery spray nozzles 174 that are positioned in spiral pattern 198 across bottom operational e 172 of rotary e cleaning tool 124 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180 and between the extreme positions of spray nozzle array 132a and 132e shown in . Additionally, full length spray nozzle arrays 132 are substituted for r spray nozzle arrays 132a and 132e nt to inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180 at the es of annular portion 176 as shown in .

Accordingly, spray nozzle arrays 132 extend substantially the full length of annular portion 176 between inner radial limit 178 and outer radial limit 180, as illustrated for example in . Thus, spiral pattern 198 is replaced by a combination semi-spiral pattern 199 consisting of a combination of a plurality of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 with a plurality of shorter spray nozzle arrays 132b, 132C, 132d forming a spiral pattern n the extreme positions of spray nozzle array 132a and 132e, as shown in .

Combination semi-spiral pattern 199 of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 and shorter spray nozzle arrays 132b, 132C, 132d is believed to most efﬁciently r the pressurized hot liquid solution of cleaning ﬂuid to the target ﬂoor surface, while zing the number of delivery spray nozzles 174 that have to be provided in bottom operational surface 172 and simultaneously delivering a substantially uniform supply of cleaning solution to the target ﬂoor or rug 57 surface. Combination semi-spiral pattern 199 simultaneously delivers a minimal quantity of cleaning solution to the target ﬂoor or rug 57 surface, which in turn zes the amount of spent ﬂuid to be extracted by cleaning machine 100 and also minimized the time required to dry the rug 57.

Accordingly, combination semi-spiral n 199 of the invention having full length spray nozzle arrays 132 in combination with a plurality of shorter spray nozzle 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,31 arrays 132b, 1320, 132d is a signiﬁcant novel improvement over conventional patterns of spray nozzle arrays of the prior art as to be an independently patentable e, as discussed in more detail herein below.

Furthermore, oriﬁces 175 of a ﬁrst plurality of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 are optionally sized larger, and oriﬁces 177 of a ﬁrst ity of individual delivery spray nozzles 174 are optionally sized smaller than oriﬁces 175. Larger and smaller spray nozzle oriﬁces 175, 177 cause cleaning machine 100 to provide a deep clean of rug 57, while simultaneously providing a surface clean of rug 57. Here, larger sized oriﬁces 175 of spray nozzles 174 deliver cleaning on at a lower re that penetrates only the surface of rug 57, while smaller sized oriﬁces 177 of spray s 174 r cleaning solution at a higher pressure that penetrates to the core of rug 57. For example, the larger sized oriﬁces 175 of spray nozzles 174 are as much as 2 to 3 times larger than the smaller sized oriﬁces 177 of spray nozzles 174. Accordingly, smaller sized oriﬁces 177 of a portion of spray nozzles 174 may be sized on the order of about 0.01 inch in diameter to 0.03 inch in diameter. The larger sized oriﬁces 175 of a portion of spray nozzles 174 may be sized relatively larger than smaller sized oriﬁces 177.

According to one embodiment, one of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 and one or more of shorter spray nozzle arrays 132b, 1320, 132d t of spray nozzles 174 having smaller sized oriﬁces 177, while a different one of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 and a different one or more of shorter spray nozzle arrays 132b, 1320, 132d consist of spray s 174 having larger sized oriﬁces 175, whereby combination semi-spiral pattern 199 of the invention includes a substantially uniform combination of spray nozzles 174 having both larger and smaller sized oriﬁces 175, 177 for substantially aneously ring cleaning solution at both lower and higher pressure.

Alternatively, one or more of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 and one or more of shorter spray nozzle arrays 132b, 1320, 132d optionally consist of spray nozzles 174 having a combination of both larger and smaller sized oriﬁces 175, 177. rmore, the pattern of spray nozzle arrays 132 illustrated in optionally consist of spray s 174 having a combination of both larger and smaller sized oriﬁces 175, 177. For example, alternating ones of full length spray nozzle arrays 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,32 132 in consist of spray nozzles 174 having both larger and smaller sized oriﬁces 175, 177. Alternatively, each of full length spray nozzle arrays 132 in consist of spray nozzles 174 having both larger and smaller sized oriﬁces 175, 177, for example alternating between larger and smaller sized spray nozzle oriﬁces 175, 177.

Accordingly, a combination of the invention having a plurality of spray nozzles 174 having relatively larger sized nozzle oriﬁces 175 in combination with plurality of spray nozzles 174 having relatively smaller sized nozzle oriﬁces 177 is a signiﬁcant novel improvement over conventional patterns of spray nozzles of the prior art having nozzle oriﬁces of only a single size as to be an ndently patentable feature, as discussed in more detail herein below. is a detail View of another embodiment of suction extraction shoe 126 of the rotary surface cleaning machine 100 rated in through and is a detailed section view of the embodiment of suction extraction shoe rated in . Here, leading surface 188 does not include the optional raised portion 192. Therefore, leading surface 188 of suction extraction shoe 126 is ntially ar with trailing surface 190. However, leading surface 188 rather includes one or more bristle brushes 204 in one or more rows arranged along an outermost portion 206 thereof. Accordingly, bristle brushes 204 are substituted for optional raised portion 192 of shoe leading surface 188 and stands out further from bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 than relatively lower or recessed portion 194 of trailing surface 190. Raised bristle brushes 204 of shoe leading surface 188 operate similarly to optional raised portion 192 disclosed herein. When optional raised bristle brushes 204 of suction tion shoe 126 is t on shoe leading surface 188, optional raised bristle brushes 204 cause a oard” scrubbing effect of the moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, wherein up-down oscillations of the moveable carpet is caused by alternately application of vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet. In other words, the target carpet is sucked up into narrow suction or vacuum extraction passage 136, and then ed back down by al raised bristle brushes 204 of leading surface 188 of next consecutive n extraction shoe 126, as illustrated in . 13,0p2357 divisional speci,33 Similarly to optional bristle brushes 202 on bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124, optional raised bristle brushes 204 on g es 188 of suction extraction shoes 126 provide a more aggressive cleaning action in cleaning when provided in combination with ﬂuid cleaning of carpet or other target ﬂooring surface.

Furthermore, when present optional raised bristle brushes 204 effectively raise bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 slightly away from target ﬂoor e. Accordingly, rotary surface cleaning tool 124 can be alternated between carpeting and hard ﬂoor surfaces such as wood, tile, linoleum and natural stone ﬂooring, without possibility of ng or other damage to either operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 or the hard ﬂoor surfaces. illustrates ional surface 172 of rotary surface ng tool 124, wherein suction extraction shoes 126 are conﬁgured with substantially coplanar leading and trailing surfaces 188, 190 and shoe leading es 188 are configured with one or more bristle brushes 204 in one or more rows arranged along outermost portions 206 thereof. illustrates rotary surface ng tool 124 as disclosed herein, wherein each suction extraction shoe 126 is ted in bottom operational surface 172 by a biasing means 208 ured for individually biasing each suction extraction shoe 126 dly relative to bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface ng tool 124.

Additionally, it is generally well known that if a suction slot directly contacts rug 57 or another ﬂoor, the suction tool virtually locks onto the rug 57 or ﬂoor and becomes immovable. Therefore, the suction tool must be spaced away from the 111g 57 or ﬂoor to permit some airﬂow which prevents such vacuum lock-up. Airﬂow is also necessary for drying the carpet 57 or ﬂoor. However, the airﬂow must be very near the rug 57 or ﬂoor to be effective for drying. Also, excessive airﬂow decreases the vacuum force supplied by the ﬂuid ng system. Thus, there is a trade-off between distancing the suction slot from the rug 57 or ﬂoor to t vacuum lock-up and ensuring mobility on the one hand, and on the other hand positioning the suction slot as near to the mg 57 or ﬂoor as possible for maintaining the vacuum force supplied by the ﬂuid cleaning system for maximizing airﬂow to promote drying. 31/10/l3,op2357 divisional speci,34 As disclosed herein, n extraction passages 136 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the counterclockwise or clockwise rotary motion (arrows 158, 158a) of cleaning tool 124, i.e., oriented substantially radially with respect to cleaning tool operational surface 172. Here, suction extraction shoe 126 includes a plurality of shallow vacuum or suction relief grooves 216 formed across its g surface 188 and oriented substantially perpendicular to suction extraction es 136, whereby suction relief grooves 216 lie substantially along the rotary motion (arrows 158, 158a) of cleaning tool 124. Shallow suction relief grooves 216 operate to increase airﬂow to suction tion passages 136, while permitting the cleaning tool ional surface 172 to be positioned directly against the rug 57 or ﬂoor, y moisture tion is maximized. r advantage of orienting suction relief grooves 216 along the rotary motion (arrows 158, 158a) of cleaning tool 124 is that suction relief grooves 216 are carpet pile enters into suction relief grooves 216 when cleaning tool operational surface 172 moves across rug 57.

This permits airﬂow to be pulled through the rug 57 between fiber bundles that make the carpet pile so that the rotary motion of cleaning tool 124 is not wasted.

The quantity and actual dimensions of suction relief grooves 216 on suction tion shoes 126 is subject to several factors, including but not d to, the size and number of suction extraction shoes 126 on operational surface 172 of rotary cleaning tool 124, width and length ions of suction extraction passages 136, and the vacuum force generated by the suction source, as well as the rotational velocity of cleaning tool operational surface 172. When relatively raised portion 192 is present in contrast to relatively lower or recessed portion 194, the resulting height differences between leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 also affect the quantity and actual dimensions of suction relief grooves 216 on suction extraction shoes 126. Optionally, suction relief s 216 are also optionally positioned on either one or both of leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 of suction tion shoes 126. When positioned on both g surface 188 and trailing surface 190 of suction extraction shoes 126, suction relief grooves 216 are also optionally staggered between leading and trailing surfaces 188, 190 as shown.

Furthermore, the inventors have found that, when optional suction relief s 216 of suction extraction shoe 126 are present, suction relief grooves 216 of suction extraction shoe 126 is effective for producing the completely unexpected and unpredicted yet desirable result of generating the oard” scrubbing effect of a moveable target 13,op2357 divisional speci,35 surface, i.e. carpet surface, wherein up—down oscillations of the moveable carpet are caused by alternate application of vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet 57. In other words, the target carpet is lly sucked up toward ed suction relief grooves 216 of shoe 126 and ional surface 172 by one suction extraction passage 136, and then squeezed back down by surrounding leading or trailing surfaces 188, 190 of suction extraction shoe 126, before being immediately sucked up again by the suction extraction e 136 of the same or an adjacent suction relief grooves 216. This alternating vacuum suction and shoe ssion of carpet 57 is repeated constantly by each alternate encounter with surrounding leading or trailing surfaces 188, 190 of suction extraction shoe 126 between encounters with nt suction relief grooves 216 as a function of the frequency of ation of recessed suction relief grooves 216 within surrounding leading or trailing surfaces 188, 190. The high speed rotary motion of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 causes these up-down oscillations of the moveable carpet are repeated at least one, two or several times each second as a function of the rotational speed s 158, 158a) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124, which results in cantly aggressive agitation of the target carpet 57 in combination with the ﬂuid cleaning. The size, quantity, relative positioning and distribution and of suction relief grooves 216 is a function of all these factors, but can be determined for any rotary surface cleaning machine 100 without undue experimentation. is a cross-section View of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 as sed herein, wherein both leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 of suction extraction shoes 126 are illustrated as including suction relief grooves 216.

Here, biasing means 208 is structured by example and without limitation as a resilient n, such as a closed-cell foam rubber cushion of about arter inch thickness or thereabout, that is positioned between ﬂange portion 184 of each shoe 126 and rotary e cleaning tool 124. For example, each shoe recess 182 is recessed deeper into bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 than a thickness of shoe ﬂange portion 184, y each shoe recess 182 is appropriately sized to receive resilient biasing cushion 208 between an interface surface 210 of ﬂange portion 184 of suction extraction shoe 126 and a ﬂoor portion 212 of shoe recess 182, while a clamping plate 214 is positioned over shoe ﬂange 184 and arranged substantially ﬂush with bottom operational 31/!0/13,0p2357 divisional speci,36 surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Accordingly, resilient biasing means 208 permits each n extraction shoe 126 to “ﬂoat” individually relative to rotary surface cleaning tool 124. Individually “ﬂoating” each suction extraction shoe 126 both effectively balances rotary surface cleaning tool 124, and causes each individual suction extraction shoe 126 to be pushed deeper into portions of carpet that may be positioned over small recesses in a non—ﬂat substrate ﬂoor surface, as well as pushing causes each dual n extraction shoe 126 deeper into portions of a non—ﬂat smooth ﬂoor e such as natural rock, distressed wood, and other non-ﬂat or pitted ﬂoor surfaces. Therefore, individually “ﬂoating” each suction extraction shoe 126 in bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 cleans carpet and non-carpeted smooth ﬂoors alike more effectively than cleaning tools having ﬁxed suction extraction shoes, as known in the prior art.

When present as a closed-cell foam cushion, biasing means 208 optionally also operates as a sealing means between n extraction shoe 126 and rotary e ng tool 124. Accordingly, biasing means 208 is structured to form a substantially airtight seal with shoe recess 182 in bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 to concentrate the force of the ﬂuid extraction suction generated by the vacuum force supplied by vacuum source 25 into individual ﬂuid extraction passages 136 of shoes 126. Optionally, closed-cell foam cushion biasing means 208 is substituted for sealing member 187 for sealing suction tion shoe 126 relative to rotary surface cleaning tool 124. However, although disclosed herein by example and without limitation as a closed-cell foam rubber cushion, biasing means 208 is optionally provided as any resilient biasing structure, including one spring or a series of s, without ing from the scope and intent of the t invention. Accordingly, biasing means alternative to the closed-cell foam rubber cushion biasing means 208 disclosed herein by example and t limitation are also contemplated and may be substituted without ing from the scope and intent of the present invention.

Optionally, clamping plate 214 is formed of a non-metallic material, such as but not limited to a plastic material, while suction tion shoe 126 is formed of a metallic material, such as but not limited to stainless steel material. 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,37 is a detail view of another embodiment of suction extraction shoe 126 of the rotary surface ng machine 100 illustrated in through wherein each n extraction shoe 126 is structured for accomplishing the “washboard” scmbbing effect of the moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, independently of the next consecutive suction tion shoe 126. Here, suction extraction shoe 126 is again shown as having functional leading surface 188 and functional trailing surface 190 both a function of the reversed rotational direction (arrow 158a) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124, shown as clockwise in Figure 24. As shown here, leading surface 188 is shown by example and t limitation as having al relatively lower or recessed portion 194, while ng surface 190 is shown as having optional raised portion 192 f that stands out further from bottom ional e 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 than relatively lower or recessed leading surface n 194.

When optional recessed portion 194 and raised portion 192 of n extraction shoe 126 are present on leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190, respectively, the relative difference in height of recessed leading portion 194 and raised trailing n 192 combine in each suction extraction shoe 126 to independently operate the “washboard” scrubbing effect of a moveable target surface, i.e. carpet surface, wherein up-down oscillations of the moveable carpet are caused by alternate application of vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet 57. In other words, the target carpet 57 is initially sucked up toward ed leading portion 194 of suction extraction shoe 126 by the action of suction or vacuum extraction passage 136, and then squeezed back down by optional raised trailing n 192 of trailing surface 190 of the same suction extraction shoe 126, as illustrated in . Each consecutive suction extraction shoe 126 operates independently of the other suction extraction shoes 126 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 to operate suction or vacuum extraction passage 136 to initially suck up the target carpet 57 toward recessed leading portion 194, before the raised trailing n 192 of the same suction extraction shoe 126 consecutively compresses the target carpet 57 back down toward the underlying ﬂoor surface. This alternate vacuum suction and shoe compression of carpet 57 is repeated independently by each consecutive suction extraction shoe 126.

Since rotary surface cleaning tool 124 turns at a high speed rotary motion these up-down oscillations of the le carpet are repeated at least one or several times each second, 31/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,38 which results in signiﬁcantly aggressive agitation of the target carpet 57 in combination with the ﬂuid cleaning.

Additionally, suction extraction shoe 126 is illustrated having a plurality of shallow vacuum or n relief grooves 216 formed across relatively raised portion 192 thereof and oriented substantially perpendicular to suction extraction passages 136. n relief s 216 are formed across either leading e 188 or trailing surface 190 as a function of the counterclockwise or clockwise rotary motion (arrows 15 8, 158a) of cleaning tool 124. As disclosed herein, n extraction es 136 are oriented substantially radially with respect to cleaning tool operational surface 172 and substantially dicular to the counterclockwise or clockwise rotary motion (arrows 15 8, 158a) of cleaning tool 124, whereby suction relief grooves 216 lie substantially along the rotary motion (arrows 158, 158a) of cleaning tool 124. Suction relief grooves 216 formed across relatively raised portion 192 of suction extraction shoe 126 and oriented substantially radially with respect to cleaning tool operational surface 172 and along the rotary motion (arrows 158, 158a) of cleaning tool 124 provide the ages disclosed herein. Suction relief grooves 216 permit suction extraction passages 136 of suction extraction shoes 126 to be positioned as near to the rug 57 or ﬂoor as possible for maintaining the vacuum force supplied by the ﬂuid cleaning system for maximizing airﬂow to promote , while preventing vacuum lock-up and ensuring mobility on the one hand.

Again, as disclosed herein, the quantity and actual dimensions of suction relief grooves 216 on suction extraction shoes 126 are subject to such factors as the size and number of suction extraction shoes 126 on operational surface 172 of rotary cleaning tool 124, the width and length dimensions of n extraction passages 136, and the vacuum force generated by the n source, as well as the rotational velocity of cleaning tool operational e 172. When relatively raised portion 192 is present in contrast to relatively lower or recessed portion 194 as shown, the resulting height difference between leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 also s the quantity and actual dimensions of n relief grooves 216 on suction extraction shoes 126. Optionally, suction relief grooves 216 are also optionally positioned on relatively raised n 192 of either of leading surface 188 or trailing surface 190 of suction extraction shoes 126. The size, ty, relative positioning and distribution and of suction relief grooves 216 is a 3 l/l0/13,op2357 divisional speci,39 function of all these factors, but can be determined for any rotary surface cleaning e 100 without undue experimentation. is a detailed cross-section view of the embodiment of suction tion shoe 126 illustrated in , wherein suction extraction shoe 126 is shown as having leading surface 188 and trailing surface 190 as a function of the reversed clockwise rotational ion (arrow 158a) of rotary surface cleaning tool 124. As shown here, leading surface 188 is shown by example and without limitation as having optional relatively lower or recessed portion 194, while trailing surface 190 is formed with relatively raised portion 192 thereof that stands out further from bottom operational e 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 than relatively lower or recessed portion 194 of leading e 188. illustrates bottom operational surface 172 of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 of the rotary surface ng e 100 illustrated in through having suction extraction shoe 126 with relatively lower or recessed surface portion 194 formed on leading surface 188, and optional raised surface n 192 formed on trailing surface 190 as illustrated in and . Here, rotational direction of rotary surface cleaning tool 124 is reversed, whereby rotary cleaning tool 124 operates in a clockwise direction (arrow 158a) in contrast to the counterclockwise direction 158 illustrated in . As rated here, optional relatively recessed portion 194 is positioned on leading surface 188 of suction extraction shoe 124, while relatively raised portion 192 is positioned on trailing surface 190 as a function of the reversed clockwise rotational ion (arrow 158a). Accordingly, the “washboard” scrubbing effect of the moveable target carpet 57 is accomplished by each n extraction shoe 126 as a function of the combination therein of recessed portion 194 of leading surface 188 and raised portion 192 of trailing surface 190 in turn engaging the e target carpet 57.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. ore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following . 3l/10/13,op2357 divisional speci,40 Throughout this speciﬁcation and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated r or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this speciﬁcation is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of tion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 3 l/10/13,0|72357 divisional speci,4l

Claims

1.A rotary surface cleaning machine, comprising: a rotary surface cleaning tool coupled for high speed rotary motion relative to a frame member and further comprising a substantially circular bottom operational surface; a ity of arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles being angularly distributed across the operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and being coupled in ﬂuid communication with corresponding liquid cleaning ﬂuid 10 distribution channels of a ng ﬂuid distribution manifold portion of the rotary surface cleaning tool, wherein each of the plurality of individual arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles further comprises a plurality of individual delivery spray nozzles that are ntially radially oriented across an annular portion of the ntially ar operational surface of the rotary e cleaning tool between 15 an inner radial limit and an outer radial limit; a plurality of suction extraction shoes being angularly distributed across the operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and being projected therefrom alternately between the arrays of cleaning solution delivery spray nozzles, and each of the suction tion shoes further comprising a fluid extraction passage 20 communicating with a vacuum plenum through a vacuum manifold of the rotary e cleaning tool, wherein an operational surface of each suction extraction shoe further comprises a plurality of suction relief grooves formed thereacross and oriented substantially perpendicular of the fluid extraction e thereof; and an ary annular suction or vacuum extraction passage comprising a 25 skirt at least partially surrounding the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and forming therewith a slot at least partially surrounding rotary surface cleaning tool, wherein the slot is substantially coplanar with the bottom operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool and is in communication with the vacuum plenum. 3O

2. The rotary surface cleaning machine of claim 1, n the auxiliary annular suction or vacuum extraction e further communicates with the vacuum plenum through the vacuum manifold of the rotary surface ng tool. l7/lZ/14,dh-op2357 ~ claims - cdm.docx,42

3. The rotary surface cleaning machine of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary annular suction or vacuum extraction passage r communicates with the vacuum plenum through an auxiliary vacuum ld of the rotary surface cleaning tool.

4. The rotary surface cleaning e of claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the skirt of the auxiliary r suction or vacuum tion passage further comprises a resiliently e material.

5. The rotary surface cleaning machine of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a target surface scrubbing means for causing oscillations of a moveable target surface to be cleaned alternately toward and away from the 10 operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool by alternate application of vacuum suction and compression thereof, wherein the target surface scrubbing means further ses a relatively raised surface portion of each suction tion shoe that projects further from the operational surface of the rotary surface cleaning tool than a relatively lower surface portion thereof. 15

6. The rotary surface cleaning machine of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a resilient cushion positioned for individually biasing one or more of the suction extraction shoes outwardly relative to the operational surface of the rotary e cleaning tool.

7. The rotary surface cleaning machine of any claims 1 through 5, wherein at 20 least one or more of the suction extraction shoes is r coupled to the rotary surface cleaning tool in a manner to be independently movable both inwardly and dly relative to the operational surface f, and further comprising a resilient cushion positioned for individually biasing each independently movable suction extraction shoe outwardly ve to the ional surface of the rotary 25 surface cleaning tool.

8. The rotary surface cleaning machine of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vacuum plenum further comprises a cavity having an opening thereinto, and a removable vacuum inlet cap assembly, comprising: a removable inlet releasably sealed with the opening into the cavity of the vacuum plenum, and a 3O cleaning on delivery tube sealed to the inlet cap and releasably sealed in communication with the plurality of suction extraction shoes, and further includes a means for visually inspecting an interior of the cavity of the vacuum .