US3079626A - Combination electric vacuum cleaner and floor scrubber - Google Patents

Description

I March 1963 R. A. YONKERS EIAL 3,079,6 26

COMBINATION ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed March 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVElxggl. ROBERT A. YON

RICHARD W HERRING HOWARD A. ANDERSON BY /jhe Attorneys March 5, 1963 R. A. YONKERS EI'AL 3,079,626

COMBINATION ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER AND FLOOR SCRUBBER l 2 i N M IN V EN TOR ROBERT A. YONKERSI RICHARD w. HERRING HOWARD A. ANDERSON A horneys' March 5,:1963 R. A. YONKERS EI'AL 3,079,626

COMBINATION ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed March 21, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ROBERT A. YONKERS RICHARD W HERRING HOWARD A. ANDERSON Attorneys March 5,1963 R. A. YONKERS ETAL COMBINATION ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Filed "March 21', 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mm wk? m NM km N v mm MN IE J wmwm UH: Q fi mm m g M/ \fi W mm mm 2% z m Rmw Attorneys United States Patent 3,079,626 COMBINATION ELECTRIC VACUUM CLEANER AND FLOOR SCRUBBER Robert A. Yonkers and Richard W. Herring, Grandviile,

Mich., and Howard A. Andersen, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Bissell Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 21, 1960, Ser. No. 16,555 6 Claims. (Cl. 320) This invention relates to a combination electric vacuum cleaner and floor scrubber which utilizes a single electric power and suction unit alternatively for vacuum cleaning rugs and floors and the like and for scrubbing and drying hard floors.

The invention arises out of the concept that a power head or self-contained power and suction unit or other suitable source of suction can be used in common for both types of machines provided the parting line for attaching is in a particular place. In the present instance the parting line is approximately half way up the handle, with the power and suction unit constituting a part of the upper handle and adapted to be attached to either the remaining elements of a vacuum cleaner as a unit or to a floor scrubber unit having a drying nozzle.

One of the advantages of such a construction is that the dirt is removed from the air before it reaches the suction unit in both cases, thereby making the suction unit function with clean air and keeping it more efiicient. When the power head is attached to complete the vacuum cleaner the air is filtered through a throw-away paper bag before it reaches the suction unit. Likewise, when'the power head is attached to complete the floor scrubber the dirty water from the floor is separated from the air before the latter reaches the suction unit.

. Furthermore, the motor is cooled by aflow of clean air, whereas in many vacuum cleaners dirty air passes through the motor also. In the present instance, the motor is cooled by reverse downdraft passage of clean air through it to the suction unit.

All mechanically operative power actuated parts are on one side of the parting line, i.e., in the power head, and all other parts are on the other side of the parting line so that no mechanical power transmission is necessary from one unit to the other across the parting line. While an additional parting line may be provided between the motor and suction unit, applicants see no particular advantage therefor, and find it to be unnecessary.

The individual separate combinations have additional advantages by reason of the construction made possible by the parting line referred to.

In the vacuum cleaner, the principal weight of the power head is loca ed centrally of the handle with a proportion supported by the operator, and the nozzle bearing lighter on the carpet making it unnecessary to support the nozzle off from the rug as by wheels or a brush element. There is no bulky motor and suction fan adjacent the nozzle to prevent the nozzle getting under furniture and reaching the wall, and it is possible to provide a turning swivel at the nozzle which maintains the latter level while the otherwise rigid handle moves downwardly to permit the nozzle to reach under beds and the like. With this construction it is also possible to taper the face of the nozzle in contact with the rug angular-1y upwardly to both the front and Patented Mar. 5, 1953 unit and nozzle unit, the present invention has these ad-' vantages with a single unitary vacuum cleaner.

Since the parting line between the power head and vacuum cleaner unit is above the filter bag and the lower unit always remains a vacuum cleaner, the filter bag can be retained in place until sufficiently full of dirt to warrant throwing away and replacement by a new empty bag.

In the floor scrubber combination, the body of the lower scrubber unit is composed of a container that is of rigid molded synthetic plastic and which has a container inside, also of rigid molded synthetic plastic, in the form of a removable pail with the two sealed around their overlapping rims when the power head is secured in place thereon. This means that the vacuum is only applird in the inner pail which receives the dirty water and functions to separate the air therefrom during pickup of the dirty water from the floor. The clean water-detergent-mix is in the outer container and is never subject to vacuum, as in the case of other vacuum-type floor scrubbers. Because of this construction one of the necessary steps in operation of former scrubbers is eliminated, i.e., the release of vac uum from the water-detergent mix chamber prior to applying the mix to the floor. Operation is thus simplified.

By providing rigid containers the grief associated with flexible bag-type inner containers or separators is elimi nated. In the present instance the dirty water enters the nozzle and rises through a central tube to near the upper end of the lower unit where it overflows into the pail or inner container. The tube is readily sealed by a slight taper fit with a surrounding central tubular member of the pail. The seals thus provided are between rigid parts that retain their fit and are readily assembled and disassembled many thousands of times without likelihood of injury or consequent leakage.

The cleaning water is released by a simple foot valve at the bottom of the outer container and behind the nozzle, where it can be readily seen by the operator to determine when the desired quantity has been applied to the floor, whereas in prior vacuum-type scrubbers the cleaning water has been applied down through the center of the nozzle where the quantity could not be readily observed.

Another feature and distinction of the present construction lies in the fact that the anti-sudser cake is disposed at the point of separation of the air from the dirty water at the top of the central tube referred to above. Since there is no subsequent mixing of the dirty water and air, there is no tendency of suds to reach the suction impeller or fan. Former constructions have employed anti-sudsers in the nozzle and sometimes did not prevent further sudsing that was detrimental to the efliciency of the unit.

Various additional advantages and features of the pres ent invention are set forth hereinafter in the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

3 In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner assembly;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the power head and upper end of the vacuum tank showing the two disassembled;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the power head with parts broken away and sectioned;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the power head shown in FIG. 3 with parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation, of the vacuum cleaner unit;

FIG. 6 is a vertical axial section taken on line VI-VI of FIG. 5 with the nozzle in side elevation;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the floor scrubber unit;

FIG. 8 is a vertical axial section taken on line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7 with the nozzle in side elevation;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the several parts of the scrubber unit ready for assembly;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the felt pad for attach-- ment to the vacuum nozzle;

FIG. 11 is an end elevation showing the manner of attaching the pad to the nozzle; FIG. 12 is an enlarged transverse section of the unit taken on line XII-XII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged bottom view of the vacuum nozzle;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line XIV-XIV of FIG. 13 and showing the swivel joint for the nozzle;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation showing the folded selfsupporting position for the scrubber assembly; and

FIG. 16 is a detail section of the attachment of the filter bag for the vacuum cleaner.

The apparatus of the present invention as illustrated in the drawings comprises, in general a power unit 1 and interchangeable vacuum cleaning and floor scrubbing units 2 and 3, respectively, adapted to be coupled to the power unit.

The power unit 1 comprises a one-piece integrally formed power head body providing a fan housing 4 and a motor housing 5 with a ferril 6 securing the body to the lower end of a tubular handle 7 having a hand grip 8 at its upper end.

An electric motor 9 is secured within housing5' coaxially with respect to the ferril 6 and tubular handle 7. The upper end of the housing 5 has a plurality of openings 10 spaced circumferentially therein for admitting air from above to cool the motor.

The motor shaft 11 extends downwardly into housing 4 and carries a shrouded suction fan or impeller 12 at its lower end. The fan housing 4 1.; of substantial diameter to accommodate the impeller 12. The shoulder between the lower end of'housing 5 and the upper end of housing 4 is formed of a plurality of radial'ribs 13 with openings 14 therebetween: for the upward discharge of air from the housing.

Beneath the impeller 12,is a plate 15 having its rim 16 curved upwardly to direct air discharged outwardly atvthe circumference of the impeller upwardly along the inner surface of housing 4 to discharge through openings 14. The outer circumterential edge of rim 16 is folded downwardly fitting inside the lower end of" housing 4 andhas atlange 17 bearing against the. end edge of the housing.

A circular rubber gasket 18 of V-shaped section is,

slipped over flange 17 and the end of housing 4 and may be heldin place as by a circumferential bead 19 on the end of'the housing to thereby secure the plate 15 in place. 7

The plate 15 has a central screened opening 20 for admitting air upwardly through a corresponding intake opening 21 in the lower shroud 22 of impeller fan 12. The .upper shroud 23 of impeller fan 12 is'cl'osed across thedianieter ofthe impeller so that air can enter the impeller only, frombeneath through'openings 2t) and 21. The fan blades 24 of impeller 12. are disposed spirally-to force air centrifugally from the center to the outer circumference where the air is discharged against the curved rim 16 of plate 15 and moved upwardly to discharge openings 14 in the housing.

The upward movement of air in housing 4 to discharge openings 14 eflects a slight suction centrally above shroud 23 and causes a downward flow of cooling air through the motor windings from upper openings 10.

The motor 9 is connected to the usual electrical outlet socket by lead wires extending up through tubular handle 7 and cord 25 with its connecting plug 26. A suitable manually operable snap switch 27 is connected in one of the leads and positioned in a suitable recess beneath the handle 7 near grip 8.

For the purpose of assembling the power unit 1 with either the vacuum cleaner 2 or floor scrubber 3, the outer surface of housing 4 carries a hinge bracket 28 at one side and an over-center toggle latch 29 at the opposite side.

The hinge bracket 28 is adaptedto be assembled with a eomplemental hinge bracket 30 on the side of the tank 31a or 31b of either. corresponding unit 2 or 3. For this purpose bracket 28 has a cross member 32 which is adapted to enter and pivot in adrop hinge member 33. The hinge member 33 is in the formof a hook in section, open at the bottom side, and member 32 is non-circular and flattened for admission through the open bottom of the hook only when the two units are doubled back side by side. Thereafter when the power unit is pivoted upwardly towards alignment with the other unit the effective dimension of member 32 is such as to prevent it from dropping through the narrow opening of the hinge member 33. V

This construction. provides for the self-supporting A' position of the scrubber assembly wherein the upper end of tank 31b is open for removal of parts or fining; as shown in FIG. 15. In this position-the hinge members 32 and 33 cannot separate and the units will not become totally disassembled.

When power unit 1 is pivoted into alignment with either unit 2 or unit 3 towhichit is hinged by members 32 and 33 of. brackets 28- and 30, the circular. end edge of the corresponding tank 31a or 31b will engage and somewhat compress gasket 18. To complete the seal between the units the gasket 18-has a short flange34. to receive the end of the tank.

Each of the tanks31a and 31b have; a bracket with a catch 35 which is disposedto enter a recess. inthe end of latch 29 and the latter can then be pivoted over-center" to secure the units. rigidlyv togethen. Thetank 31a, or

31b, as the case may be, will then be rigidly secured in:

alignment with power unit 1.

The vacuum cleaner. unit 2 shown in detail in FIGS. 5,

and 6, comprises the tank 31a of synthetic molded-plastic material, a central axially disposed suction tube 36 and therein so that when the neck 39 is in place thereon an O ring 42 can be rolled over the neck to the groove 41' and serve to secure the neck on the tube section. After assembly with bag 40, the tube section 38 is pushed onto the upper end of tube 36 and frictionall'y' engages the same by reason of a small dent 43 in the tube section 38. The lower outer end of the tube section 38 is flanged outwardly at 44 so that ring 42 can be rolled downwardly on the tube section to free the bag for removal without rolling the ring ofr" the tube section.

7 When impeller 12 operates it establishes a vacuum in tank 31a outside bag 40' and thereb y" causes to V. be sucked through nozzle 57 and tube 36 into the bag and through the filter walls of the bag into tank 31a and to the impeller which discharges the air through openings 14 The bag 46 is of convenient size to nearly fill tank 31a when filled with dirt. The bag should be replaced as frequently as required and the operation of replacement is simple. The neck 39 is in the side of the bag so that when the neck is applied to the upper end of tube 36 the bag 40 will be on one side of the tube and will extend from bottom to top of the tank 31a. When the bag is nearly full of dirt one side of the tube 38 will still be exposed so that the operator can insert her hand into the tank far enough to either roll ring 42 downwardly to free neck 39 and then remove the bag by slipping the neck upwardly off the tube 38, or remove the tube 35 and bag from tube 36. Tube 38 can then be removed for assembly with a replacement bag.

The tube 36 extends downwardly through the bottom of tank 31a and into the shank 45 of nozzle 37, to which it is secured by suitable means.

The body of nozzle 37 is a hollow channel-shaped member with closed ends and open at the bottom. A metal glide member 4-6 is secured to the bottom of nozzle 37 and serves to bear upon the carpet or rug in operation of the vacuum cleaner. The glide member 46 is rectangular with an open slot 47 in its center for entrance of air under suction from impeller 12. The air entering through slot 47 passes into the hollow nozzle 37 and centrally to the open lower end of tube 36 which conducts it to the filter bag previously described.

The body of nozzle 37 has an upstanding angnlarly disposed housing 48 thereon with a plate 49 secured thereto. Shank 45 extends through plate 49 and at an angle thereto and has a flange 50 confined in housing 48 by plate 49. Flange 50 is disposed in a plane at an angle to the axis of shank 45 and tube 36. By reason of this angular relationship, turning of handle 7 and tube 36 effects a change in the angular relation between the face member 46 and the handle so that face member 46 can be maintained in level contact with the rug while the handle may be lowered for reaching under objects such as beds, and then raised again for normal upright operation. Normally, the assembled parts from grip 8 to the nozzle 37 have a length suitable for manual operation with the operator standing.

The face of member 46 is preferably provided with raised corners 51 and fore and aft grooves 52 and also end grooves 53 to effect guidance of the nozzle in fore and aft movement over the rug and also work the nap of the rug and thereby free particles of dust or dirt which can then be removed by the suction of air past them into the nozzle. The metal face of member 46' is inclined upwardly fore and aft of the transverse longitudinal median line of slot 47 so that the nozzle functions in both fore and aft movements to flex the nap of the rug and facilitate proper pickup of dirt by air rushing into the nozzle.

When it is desired to vacuum sweep a bare or hard floor, a felt glider support 54 is secured to the face member 46 of nozzle 37. As shown in FIGS. and 11, support 54 comprises two parallel felt strips with thin metal backing 55 on top and joined by two metal spring clips 56 curved upwardly in inverted U-shape. A flange 57 extends upwardly and rearwardly of the backing 55 for the rear strip of support 54. The front strip of support 54 has the felt cut away for a distance at the center to provide an open front space 58 for entrance of air to the nozzle.

- In attaching the felt support 54 to nozzle 37 the support may be manually applied by forcing the spring clips 56 into slot 47 until the support is seated on the metal face member 46 and the outward force of Spring clip 56 secures the support in place. Another method is to lay the support 54 on the floor with flange 57 extending 6 rearwardly toward the operator, and then by the handle 7 to manipulate the nozzle 37 to force it down upon the spring clips 56 until the support is seated and secured to the nozzle.

Removal of the support 54 from the nozzle can be effected by pressing the foot on the projecting tip of flange 57 and lifting nozzle 37 from the support. The removal may also be effected by hand if desired.

The felt support 54 for nozzle 37 prevents the metal face of member 46 from contacting and scratching the floor.

A removable rubber bumper ring 59 extends around the periphery of nozzle 37 just above the glide member 46 and serves to protect furniture legs and other objects from marring.

The vacuum cleaner unit as described is made principally of lightweight synthetic plastic, the only metal parts in the unit being the tube 36 and the glide member 46 and a few assembly screws. This makes the cleaner glide easily over the rug without requiring wheel supports as with most vacuum cleaners. It also facilitates use of the cleaner as a vacuum sweeper for hard floors by the more addition of the felt support 54.

The floor scrubber unit 3 shown in detail in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 15, comprises the outer tank 31b of molded synthetic plastic material, a central axially disposed suction tube 69, a nozzle 61 secured to the lower end of tube 60, an inner container or pail 62, and a cap 63 therefor.

The outer tank 31b is substantially the same as tank 31a and is adapted to fit the gasket 18 and be secured to power unit 1 the same as described above for tank 31a. The tank 31b has a discharge opening or port 64 in its bottom normally closed by a valve member 65 carried by a lever 66 pivoted at 67 to a bracket 68 underneath the tank.

Lever 66 extends rearwardly from the tank and has a toe pedal 69 at its end which can be pressed downwardly by the toe of the operator to open the discharge port 64 for gravity discharge of water and detergent mix from the tank.

A suitable spring 70 biases the lever 66 upwardly to retain the valve member 65 closed on the port 64 at all normal times unless pressed by the toe of the operator.

The lever 66 has an opening 71 therein outwardly of the member 65 through which water and detergent mix can fall to the floor Without wetting the toe of the operator. It is to be noted also that the liquid cleaning mix drops to the floor behind the nozzle 61 where it flows out into a puddle that can be readily seen by the operator to aid in determining when the right amount has been discharged from tank 31b.

The vacuum tube 60 is similar to vacuum tube 36, previously described, except that it extends upwardly in tank 31b nearly to the top of the tank to provide a substantial depth for the inner tank or pail 62.

The nozzle 61 is secured rigidly to the lower end of tube 6%} and has a hollow transverse body open at the bottom similar to a vacuum cleaner nozzle. A series of brush bristles 72 extends downwardly from the rim of the nozzle longitudinally along the front and back of the opening. If desired, a rubber bumper, now shown, may be attached around the nozzle similar to bumper 59.

When a suitable quantity of cleaning mix of water and detergent is applied to the floor by the operator depressing the pedal 69, the valve 65 is allowed to close and the operator thereupon pushes the unit forward and back to spread the cleaning mix on the floor by'rneans of the brush 72 which serves to scrub the surface of the floor with the detergent-water mix.

The inner tank or pail 62 fits loosely in the tank 31b and has a recessed rim 73 that rests on the upper end edge of the tank. The bottom of pail 62 is disposed about midway of the height of tank 31b so that the effective capacities of the outer and inner tanks 31b and 62, re-

spectively, are approximately equal. The pail 62 has a central upwardly extending tubular flange 74 defining an opening in the bottom of the pail through which the tube 60 extends. The flange 74 is tapered upwardly in internal diameter to fit on tube 60 and effectively seal therewith nearthe upper end of the tube.

'The inner tank or pail 62 has a wire bail 75 to facilitate manipulation of the tank as a pail and aid in lifting theinner tank from outer tank 31b. This construction permits use of pail 62 to fill tank 31b with fresh Water and for later litlting of the pail from tank 31b to empty it of dirty water.

A vertical channel ridge 76 inside pail 62, and which faces outwardly of the pail, serves as a keyway receiving an inwardly projecting key 77 near the top of outer tank31b, so that the inner tank or pail 62 will always be orientated with an upward projection 78 on its'rim 73 located on the forward upper side of theunit as shown in FIG. 9. The bail 75 lies on the upper end of the vertical channel ridge 76 when not in use.

The cap 63 is a molded synthetic plastic, plate-like member with arim 79 fitting into the recessed upper edge of pail 62 and over the top of rim 73 to seal therewith when rubber gasket 18 is pressed downwardly thereagainst in assembling and securing the power unit 1 upon the upper end-of unit 3.

The central portion of cap 63- is cupped to provide adependingcylindrical w'all80 and a bottom 81 having a depending cylindrical flange 82 disposed to extend down to approximately the level of the upper end'of tube 60'and radially spaced therefrom.-

A replaceable anti-sudser cake 83 is frictionally retained against bottom 81 by flange 82, and faces downwardly a short distance above the mouth of-tube 60.

After a given area of the floor has been scrubbed the operator turns switch 27 to actuate the motor 9 which drives the suction fan-or impeller 12. The nozzle 61 is moved by the operator over the wet area of the floor and the vacuum suction picks up the dirty water and spent detergent from the floor through the nozzle and upwardly through tube 60 to impinge upon the anti-sudscake 83 which quiets or neutralizes any unspent detergent and the water containing the dirt and'spent detergent then falls'to the bottom of the inner container or pail .62.

The air which lifts the waterup throughtube 60 is" separated from the water when the latter falls into pail 62, and the air then passes through an opening 84 in wall 80 and from there up through the intake openings 20 and 21 for impeller12.

Inorder to prevent water from getting to opening 84 the latter is orientated to locate the same at the forward upper side of the unit so that it is always at the uppermost corner portion of the inner tank or pail62 during operation. This desiredorientation is provided by. locating the same relative to the projection 78 by means of a reces's 85 in rim 79 receiving the projection which in-turn islocated with respect to channel 76 receiving key'77.

The floor scrubber unit 3 is light in weight and can be operated to apply detergent-water mixito successive areas of afloor and to completely remove the dirty water from the successive areas in turn. The motor9 and impeller 12 are protected from the reach of the water and dirt and only clean air is discharged into the room. I

By'reason of the location of the parting line'- between units 1 and 3 the functional-cleaning parts of the device are separated from the electrical and power parts the same as is the case with respect to units 1 and 2. Only a single operative seal in the form of gasket 18 is needed when securing the units in assembly.

The outer tank 31b is never subjected to suction and consequently application of fresh mix to the floor is always: possible without concern about vacuum in the chamber.

The sequence'of stepsin operatingthe device is simple.

For instance, when operating it as a vacuum cleaner for rugs, assuming that a filter bag 40 has been assembled on tube 36in tank 31a, all that need be done is tosecure-the units 1 and 2 together, insert plug 26 into an electricaloutlet, andflip-the switch 27 to start the motor, and-then operate asmost any vacuum cleaner. Shouldit be desired to vacuum sweep a bare floor, felt pad 54 is secured to the nozzle 37 and again the operation is similar to-mostany vacuum cleaner.

7 When operating it as a floor scrubber the following se' quence is preferred: (1) remove cap 63 and pail 62 from tank 31b, (2) hinge units 1 and 3 together by inserting member 32 into member 33 and disposing the initially hinged units upright on the floor as shown inFIG. 15, (3) pour a given quantity of detergent into tank 31b, (4): fill pai-l 62 with a given quantity of faucet water and pour: itinto tank 31b to mix with the detergent, (5), assemble pail 62 in tank 31b with key 77 received in channel ridge.

76 and dropping the bail onto the'supporting ridge 76, (6) apply cap 63 to the top of pail 62 being careful to orient it so that recess receives projection 78, (7).pivot unit 1 upwardly into alignment with unit3 and secure latch 29 to complete the assembly, (8) insert plug 26 into a nearby electrical socket, (9) move nozzle 61 to the location on the floor to be cleaned, (10 apply the toe of one foot to pedal 69 to open the drain port 64 of tank 31b and apply a given quantity of detergent-water mix to the floor, (11) move the nozzle 61over the floor to spread the mix to a given area of floor and eifect scrubbing of-the same by the brush 72, 12) flip switch 27 tov start the-suction, (13) move nozzle 61 over the wet floor to pick up all water therefrom along with the spent detergent and dirt, ('14) stop the motor by return flip of switch 27, -(15) remove plug 26 from the socket, (16) release latch 29 and return the units to the upright position of FIG. 15, (17) remove cap 63, (18) lift pail 62 out by the bail 75 and dump the dirty-water therefrom, and (19) either repeat the steps for another floor area or separate the units for storage.

The construction eliminates flexible partitions between inner-and outer tanks employed by others in vacuum floor scrubbers and is more durable on that account.-

Various modes of carrying outthe invention are contemplated as being withinthe scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly'claiming' of said tank connecting the same to a source of vacuumand providing tin-upstanding handle for manipulation of the device by a standing operator, and a rigid inner tank removably carried in the upper end' of said first named tank and substantially dividing the space therein into two' separate tank chambers ofsubstantially equal volume,

said tubular conduit passing upwardly through the chamher in said first'named tank and through the bottom'of said inner tank to discharge near to said removable closure, the bottom of said inner tank having a tubular upstanding flange receiving said tubular conduit and substantially sealed thereagainst.

2. The construction of claim 1 in which said tubular flange is tapered to' impinge upon said tubular conduit tightly at the upper end thereof.

3. The construction of claim 1 in which said tubular conduit discharges upwardly and a de-sudser cake is carried by said closure'immediately above the mouth of said tubular conduit to be contacted by the air-water mix being sucked up from the floor.

4. The construction of claim 1 in which a discharge opening is provided in the bottom of said first named tank to the rear of said nozzle, a foot treadle valve pivotally closes said opening, and means are provided to normally bias said valve to closed position.

5. The construction of claim 1 in which interengaging means on said tanks orientate said inner tank relative to said upstanding tank, and additional interengaging means on said closure and at least one of said tanks orientate the closure relative to said tanks.

6. The construction of claim 1 in which said upstanding tank has an upper rim provided with an inner circumferential ledge spaced downwardly from the top, and said inner tank is provided with an outer flange supported upon said ledge for positioning said inner tank within said upstanding tank.

References @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 983,971 Baker Feb. 14, 1911 Thurman July 29, 1913 Small J'uly 17, 1917 Anderson March 21, 192

Clements Sept, 28, 1926 Breton Nov. 6, 1928 Finnell March 15, 1932 Vose April 11, 1944 Erickson Sept. 10, 1946 Kelley et a1 May 31, 1955 McMahan Jan. 3, 1956 Cole Feb. 4, 1958 Cole et a1 May 26, 1959' Martinec July 7, 1959 Krarnmes July 25, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS France April 6, 1925

Claims (1)

1. IN A FLOOR SCRUBBER DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A SUBSTANTIALLY ELONGATED FLOOR SCRUBBING ELEMENT CONSTITUTING A VACUUM NOZZLE, A TUBULAR CONDUIT EXTENDING UPWARDLY AT AN ANGLE FROM SAID BRUSH AND CARRIED THEREBY, A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL UPSTANDING TANK CARRIED BY SAID TUBULAR CONDUIT, A REMOVABLE CLOSURE SECURED TO THE TOP OF SAID TANK CONNECTING THE SAME TO A SOURCE OF VACUUM AND PROVIDING AN UPSTANDING HANDLE FOR MANIPULATION OF THE DEVICE BY A STANDING OPERATOR, AND A RIGID INNER TANK REMOVABLY CARRIED IN THE UPPER END OF SAID FIRST NAMED TANK AND SUBSTANTIALLY DIVIDING THE SPACE THEREIN INTO TWO SEPARATE TANK CHAMBERS OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL VOLUME, SAID TUBULAR CONDUIT PASSING UPWARDLY THROUGH THE CHAMBER IN SAID FIRST NAMED TANK AND THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF SAID INNER TANK TO DISCHARGE NEAR TO SAID REMOVABLE CLOSURE, THE BOTTOM OF SAID INNER TANK HAVING A TUBULAR UPSTANDING FLANGE RECEIVING SAID TUBULAR CONDUIT AND SUBSTANTIALLY SEALED THEREAGAINST.

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