Suction wet jet mop

Abstract

A cleaning device ( 10, 300, 380, 390, 400, 500 ) includes a handle assembly ( 14 ). A cleaning head ( 12, 312, 512 ) is pivotally mounted to the handle assembly ( 14 ). The cleaning head selectively holds a cleaning pad ( 70, 70 ′) for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned. A suction nozzle ( 18, 338, 408, 518 ) is carried by the cleaning head. A dirt collecting receptacle ( 208, 336, 410 ) is mounted to the housing and is in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and a suction fan and motor assembly ( 30 ). At least one spray nozzle ( 22, 24, 332, 406, 560 ) is disposed on one of the suction nozzle and the cleaning head. A liquid delivery system ( 90 ) delivers a cleaning fluid to the at least one spray nozzle. At least a portion of the liquid delivery system is mounted on the handle assembly.

Having thus described the preferred embodiments, the invention is now claimed to be:  
     
         1 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a handle assembly;    a cleaning head pivotally attached to a first end of said handle assembly and configured for receiving a replaceable cleaning pad for collecting dirt from a floor surface to be cleaned;    a spray nozzle mounted on one of said cleaning head and said handle assembly for delivering a cleaning fluid to a floor surface to be cleaned;    a liquid delivery system which delivers cleaning fluid to said spray nozzle, at least a portion of said liquid delivery system being carried by said handle assembly;    a suction nozzle carried by said cleaning head;    a dirt collection assembly for collecting dirt and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle, said dirt collection assembly being carried by said handle assembly; and    a source of suction, carried by said handle assembly and fluidly connected with said dirt collection assembly, for creating a flow of working air which draws dirt from said suction nozzle into said dirt collection assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein said dirt collection assembly includes a dirt cup which is removably mounted on said handle assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction nozzle is pivotably mounted to said cleaning head.  
     
     
         4 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the suction nozzle is movable between a floor suctioning position, in which the suction nozzle is positioned adjacent the floor surface to be cleaned and a retracted position, in which the suction nozzle is positioned away from the floor surface.  
     
     
         5 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid delivery system includes a fluid supply pump.  
     
     
         6 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , further including a switch which is movable between a first position, for selectively actuating said source of suction, and a second position.  
     
     
         7 . The cleaning device of  claim 6 , wherein when said switch is in said second position, the flow of working air is stopped and the liquid delivery system is actuated.  
     
     
         8 . The cleaning device of  claim 6 , wherein said switch is movable to an intermediate position between said first and second positions.  
     
     
         9 . The cleaning device of  claim 8 , wherein said switch is biased to said intermediate position.  
     
     
         10 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a multiple axis joint which interconnects said cleaning head and said handle assembly.    
     
     
         11 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning head has a substantially flat lower surface.  
     
     
         12 . The cleaning device of  claim 11 , wherein said cleaning pad is selectively mounted to said lower surface.  
     
     
         13 . The cleaning device of  claim 11 , wherein said spray nozzle is attached to an upper surface of said cleaning head.  
     
     
         14 . The cleaning device of  claim 1 , wherein said handle assembly includes an elongate handle and a housing mounted to said handle, said housing defining said first end of the handle assembly and defining a socket for selectively receiving said dirt collection assembly.  
     
     
         15 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to said housing;    a cleaning head pivotally mounted to said housing, said cleaning head selectively holding a cleaning pad for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned;    a suction nozzle carried by said cleaning head;    a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and said suction fan and motor assembly;    at least one spray nozzle disposed on one of said suction nozzle and said cleaning head; and    a liquid delivery system for delivering a cleaning fluid to said at least one spray nozzle, wherein at least a portion of said liquid delivery system is mounted on said housing.    
     
     
         16 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , further comprising a conduit extending between said suction nozzle and said dirt collecting receptacle.  
     
     
         17 . The cleaning device of  claim 16 , wherein said conduit comprises a flexible hose.  
     
     
         18 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said dirt collecting receptacle comprises a dirt cup.  
     
     
         19 . The cleaning device of  claim 18 , further comprising a latch for selectively securing said dirt cup to said housing.  
     
     
         20 . The cleaning device of  claim 18 , wherein said dirt cup comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein said inlet communicates with an outlet of said suction nozzle and said dirt cup outlet communicates with an inlet of said suction fan and motor assembly.  
     
     
         21 . The cleaning device of  claim 18 , further comprising a filter detachably mounted to said dirt cup.  
     
     
         22 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning head is substantially rectangular with a generally flat bottom surface.  
     
     
         23 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning head is pivotably connected to said housing via a universal joint.  
     
     
         24 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said suction fan and motor are powered by an alternating current via a power cord.  
     
     
         25 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one battery mounted to said housing for powering said suction fan and motor.  
     
     
         26 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning head comprises a bottom surface including at least one securing member for securing said cleaning pad to said cleaning head.  
     
     
         27 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein said cleaning head includes a generally rectangular support plate, said support plate being pivotally connected with said housing and carrying said spray nozzle and said suction nozzle on an upper surface thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , wherein the suction nozzle is movable between a suctioning position, in which said suction nozzle is positioned adjacent to a surface to be cleaned, and a retracted position, in which said suction nozzle is spaced away from said surface.  
     
     
         29 . The cleaning device of  claim 28 , further including a biasing mechanism for biasing said suction nozzle to said retracted position.  
     
     
         30 . The cleaning device of  claim 29 , wherein said biasing mechanism includes a spring.  
     
     
         31 . The cleaning device of  claim 28 , further including a latch for selectively restraining said suction nozzle in the suctioning position.  
     
     
         32 . The cleaning device of  claim 15 , further comprising a handle mounted to said housing.  
     
     
         33 . The cleaning device of  claim 32 , further comprising a switch located on said handle for controlling an actuation of at least one of said suction fan and motor assembly and said fluid distribution system.  
     
     
         34 . The cleaning device of  claim 33 , wherein said switch has a first position in which said suction fan and motor assembly is actuated and said fluid delivery system is disabled and a second position in which said fluid delivery system is actuated and said suction fan and motor assembly is disabled.  
     
     
         35 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a cleaning head selectively holding a cleaning pad;    a handle for directing said cleaning head along a surface to be cleaned;    a housing mounted to at least one of said handle and said cleaning head;    a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to said housing;    a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to said housing;    a suction nozzle fluidly connected with said dirt collecting receptacle; and    a liquid delivery system mounted to at least one of said housing and said suction nozzle for delivering a cleaning solution to the surface to be cleaned.    
     
     
         36 . The cleaning device of  claim 35 , wherein said dirt collecting receptacle comprises a dirt cup.  
     
     
         37 . The cleaning device of  claim 35 , wherein said housing is selectively secured to said handle via at least one clip.  
     
     
         38 . The cleaning device of  claim 35 , wherein said cleaning head is pivotally connected to said handle via a universal joint.  
     
     
         39 . The cleaning device of  claim 35 , further comprising a switch for alternatively actuating said suction fan and motor assembly and said liquid delivery system.  
     
     
         40 . The cleaning device of  claim 35 , wherein said suction nozzle is removably secured to said cleaning head via at least one clip.  
     
     
         41 . A cleaning device comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction nozzle communicating with said housing;    a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to said housing;    a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to said housing and in fluid communication with said suction nozzle and said suction fan and motor assembly;    a liquid delivery system mounted to said housing for delivering a cleaning solution to a surface to be cleaned;    a handle mounted to said housing for grasping to move said cleaning device along the surface to be cleaned;    a switch for actuating at least one of said suction fan and motor assembly and said liquid delivery system; and    a cleaning head pivotally mounted to said housing, said cleaning head selectively holding a cleaning pad for collecting dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned.    
     
     
         42 . The cleaning device of  claim 41 , wherein said switch is located on said handle.  
     
     
         43 . The cleaning device of  claim 41 , wherein said suction fan and motor assembly are operated only while said switch is moved to a first position.  
     
     
         44 . The cleaning device of  claim 43 , wherein said liquid delivery system is operated only while said switch is moved to a second position.  
     
     
         45 . The cleaning device of  claim 44 , wherein the fluid delivery system includes a pump which is actuated by said switch in said second position.  
     
     
         46 . The cleaning device of  claim 44 , wherein said switch is biased to a third, off, position between said first and second positions.  
     
     
         47 . A cleaning device having two separate and distinct modes of operation, wherein a first mode of operation comprises suctioning debris from a surface to be cleaned, and a second mode of operation comprises application of a cleaning liquid to the surface, a cleaning pad being used to collect dirty cleaning liquid and dust and debris from the surface to be cleaned, said cleaning device comprising: 
 a housing;    a suction fan and motor assembly mounted to said housing;    a dirt collecting receptacle mounted to said housing;    a suction nozzle fluidly connected with said suction fan and motor assembly and said dirt collecting receptacle for performing said first mode of operation;    a liquid delivery system mounted at least in part to said housing for delivering a cleaning liquid to the surface during said second mode of operation; and,    a cleaning head pivotally mounted to said housing, said cleaning head selectively holding said cleaning pad used during said second mode of operation.    
     
     
         48 . The cleaning device of  claim 47 , wherein said two modes of operation are mutually exclusive.  
     
     
         49 . A cleaning device having a liquid delivery system for cleaning a surface, comprising: 
 an elongate handle assembly having first and second ends;    a cleaning head pivotally mounted to said first end of said handle assembly;    a cleaning pad mounted to said cleaning head for collecting dirty cleaning liquid and dust and debris from a surface to be cleaned;    a spray nozzle for spraying liquid from said liquid delivery system in a first cleaning mode, said spray nozzle being mounted to said cleaning head;    a suction nozzle carried by one of said cleaning head and said elongate handle assembly and pivotable between a first position, in which the nozzle is located adjacent the surface to be cleaned in a second cleaning mode, and a second position, in which the nozzle is spaced away from the surface to be cleaned.    
     
     
         50 . The cleaning device of  claim 49 , wherein said cleaning head is pivotally mounted to said first end by a universal joint such that said cleaning head is pivotable relative to said housing about first and second axis.  
     
     
         51 . The cleaning device of  claim 49 , further including a latch which engages the suction nozzle in at least one of said first and second positions.  
     
     
         52 . The cleaning device of  claim 51 , further including a foot operated switch for releasing said latch from engagement.  
     
     
         53 . A method of cleaning a surface with a device comprising a handle assembly and a cleaning head pivotally attached to said handle assembly, the method comprising: 
 suctioning dirt from the surface through a suction nozzle attached to one of said cleaning head and said handle assembly;    moving said suction nozzle in relation to said cleaning head to a position spaced away from the surface;    while the suction nozzle is spaced away from the surface, applying a liquid to the surface from a liquid delivery system at least partially mounted on said handle assembly; and    directing the cleaning head over the surface with the handle assembly such that liquid from the surface is transferred to the cleaning head.    
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the suctioning and liquid applying steps are controlled by a switch, the suctioning step including the subsidiary step of moving the switch to a first position which causes suction to be applied to the suction nozzle and prevents the liquid delivery system from applying liquid to the surface, and the liquid applying step including the subsidiary step of moving the switch to a second position in which the suction is not applied to the suction nozzle and causes the liquid delivery system to apply liquid to the surface.