Carpet cleaning apparatus and method of construction

Abstract

A carpet cleaning apparatus and method of retrofitting a vacuum cleaner provides a vacuum cleaner with a sweeper housing carrying a rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet. A collection device is carried in the sweeper housing along with a fan assembly. A suction hose is connected in circuit with the fan assembly and the collection device. A pump driven vessel is carried externally to the sweeper housing for fluid communication with a spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is arranged externally to the housing to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the housing.

1 . A method of retrofitting an upright vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a sweeper head incorporating a rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet, an upright housing attached to the sweeper head, the upright housing incorporating a collection device and an upstanding handle, a suction hose connected in circuit with a fan and fan motor and the collection device, comprising: 
 providing a pump driven liquid containing vessel;    attaching the vessel exteriorly on the housing;    providing a spray nozzle; and    attaching the spray nozzle externally to one of the housing and sweeper head for fluid communication with the vessel, the nozzle being arranged to dispense fluid under pressure in the form of a mist a spaced distance from the sweeper head.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating a flexible hose which can be bent into and holds a designated position between the spray nozzle and the vessel, and bending the hose to position the spray nozzle in its best spraying position.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a mechanism interrupting the flow path of dirt to the collection device and providing visualization of any trapped moisture collected in the mechanism.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising providing a filter in the mechanism to provide filtration of the flow path and separation of liquid upstream of the collection device.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising attaching an actuator on the upright handle, the actuator being in operable communication with the vessel and actuatable to spray the fluid from the spray nozzle independently from the operation of the vacuum cleaner.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a battery for driving the pump carried on the vacuum cleaner and arranging the vessel for gravitational feed of the liquid within the vessel to the pump.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  including arranging the vessel for suction feed of the liquid within the vessel to the pump.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a plurality of spray nozzles and attaching the spray nozzles for fluid communication with the pump driven vessel, and arranging each of the nozzles to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the sweeper head.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising utilizing a separate flexible hose to attach each spray nozzle for fluid communication with the pump driven vessel and bending the hose to position the spray nozzle in its desired spraying position.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  including dispensing about 0.0256 ounces of fluid through the spray nozzle per square foot of carpet.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  including spraying liquid about 6-12 inches in front of the sweeper head.  
     
     
         12 . A carpet cleaning apparatus, comprising: 
 a sweeper housing;    a rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet carried in said sweeper housing;    a collection device carried in the sweeper housing;    a fan assembly carried in the sweeper housing;    a suction hose connected in circuit with the fan assembly and the collection device;    a pump driven vessel carried external to said sweeper housing; and    a spray nozzle carried externally to the housing for fluid communication with the vessel, the nozzle being arranged to dispense fluid under pressure a spaced distance from the housing.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a flexible hose attached to the spray nozzle, the flexible hose being bendable to retain a selected position for spraying the fluid on the desired area of the carpet outwardly from the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising an actuator operable independently from the apparatus to energize the pump driven vessel at selected times to dispense fluid through the spray nozzle.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a bracket arranged to be releasably attached to said housing, said bracket being arranged to carry said pump driven vessel externally from said housing.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a spray wand in fluid communication with said pump driven vessel and being actuatable independently from said nozzles to spray fluid under pressure onto a selected area of the carpet.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said spray nozzle is arranged to dispense about 0.0256 ounces of fluid per square foot of carpet.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said spray nozzle is arranged to dispense liquid about 6-12 inches in front of the housing.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising a liquid trapping filtration mechanism interrupting the flow path of dirt to the collection device and providing visualization of any moisture trapped in the mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . A method of operating a vacuum cleaner, the vacuum cleaner comprising: a sweeper head incorporated a rotating brush assembly for contacting a surface of a carpet, an upright housing attached to the sweeper head, the upright housing incorporating a collection device and an upstanding handle, a suction hose connected in circuit with a fan and fan motor, and the collection devise, a pump driven liquid containing vessel and a spray nozzle, comprising: 
 a. attaching the spray nozzle externally to one of the housing and sweeper head for fluid communication with the vessel; and    b. moving the vacuum cleaner over the carpet and spraying a light mist of liquid on said carpet in the form of droplets in the range of 80 microns to 250 microns in maximum size on said carpet a spaced distance from said sweeper head in a path to be vacuumed over.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising providing a mechanism interrupting the flow path of dirt to the collection device and providing visualization of any trapped moisture collected in the mechanism.