Carpet cleaning apparatus and method with vibration, heat, and cleaning agent

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for cleaning carpets, upholstered surfaces, and other surfaces is disclosed, the apparatus and method utilizing a combination of vibratory motion, controllable heat, and cleaning agents, the apparatus comprising a base plate, heating elements with electrical connections, and means for moving the base plate to produce a scrubbing motion, the method comprising a replaceable cleaning implement in combination with a mechanical scrubber, a cleaning agent, and controllable heat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for cleaning a surface, comprising: 
 a motor, having a motor shaft;    a vibrator plate;    means for connecting the vibrator plate to the motor shaft to produce a scrubbing motion;    a base plate;    a plurality of heating elements, attached to the base plate; and    means for removably engaging the base plate with the vibrator plate.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 1 , in which the means for removably engaging the base plate with the vibrator plate further comprises: 
 a base plate seat, formed to engage the vibrator plate;    means for attaching the base plate seat to the base plate; and    means for maintaining the orientation of the base plate in relation to the motor.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 2 , further comprising: means for removably engaging a replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 3 , in which the means for removably engaging the replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate further comprises: pointed extrusions on the lower surface of the base plate.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: means for electrically connecting the heating elements to a power source, for supply of electrical current to the heating elements.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: means for controlling the electrical current supplied to the heating elements from the power source.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 1 , in which the means for connecting the vibrator plate to the motor shaft comprises: 
 a cam;    means for attaching the cam to the motor shaft;    a bearing;    means for attaching the bearing to the cam; and    means for attaching the vibrator plate to the bearing.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 7 , further comprising: means for removably engaging a replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 8 , in which the means for removably engaging the replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate further comprises: a plurality of pointed extrusions on the lower surface of the base plate.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 7 , in which the means for removably engaging the base plate with the vibrator plate comprises: 
 a base plate seat, formed to engage the vibrator plate;    means for attaching the base plate seat to the base plate; and    means for maintaining the orientation of the base plate in relation to the motor.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 10 , further comprising: means for removably engaging a replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 11 , in which the means for removably engaging the replaceable cleaning implement with the base plate further comprises: pointed extrusions on the lower surface of the base plate.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: means for electrically connecting the heating elements to a power source, for supply of electrical current to the heating elements.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising: means for controlling the electrical current supplied to the heating elements from the power source.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 12 , in which the means for removably connecting the vibration plate to the motor shaft further comprises: 
 a counter weight, and    means for attaching the counter weight to the cam.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus for cleaning a surface of  claim 12 , in which the means for removably connecting the vibrator plate to the motor shaft further comprises: 
 a counter weight, and    means for attaching the counter weight to the motor shaft.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: means for electrically connecting the heating elements to a power source, for supply of electrical current to the heating elements.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising: means for controlling the electrical current supplied to the heating elements from the power source.  
     
     
         19 . A method for cleaning a surface, comprising the steps of: 
 applying a cleaning agent to a soiled area of a surface to be cleaned;    moving a replaceable cleaning implement to the soiled area of the surface;    moving a mechanical scrubber to the replaceable cleaning implement;    applying heat to the replaceable cleaning implement, and    scrubbing the replaceable cleaning implement against the soiled area of the surface using the mechanical scrubber.    
     
     
         20 . A method for cleaning a surface, comprising the steps of: 
 affixing a replaceable cleaning implement to a mechanical scrubber;    applying a cleaning agent to the replaceable cleaning implement;    placing the replaceable cleaning implement and mechanical scrubber on a soiled area of the surface;    applying heat to the replaceable cleaning implement; and    scrubbing the replaceable cleaning implement against the soiled area of the surface using the mechanical scrubber.    
     
     
         21 . A method for cleaning a surface, comprising the steps of: 
 applying a cleaning agent to a replaceable cleaning implement;    affixing the replaceable cleaning implement to a mechanical scrubber;    placing the replaceable cleaning implement and the mechanical scrubber on a soiled area of the surface;    applying heat to the soiled area of a surface to be cleaned; and    scrubbing the replaceable cleaning implement against the soiled area of the surface using the mechanical scrubber.