Vacuum and cleaning apparatus

Abstract

A vacuum cleaning device provides improved removal of dirt and cleaning solution while using less air flow than conventional cleaning devices, requiring less power to operate. The device utilizes an air control valve which may or may not be coupled to a liquid valve. An existing power system may then be used to operate additional cleaning devices.

1 . A fluid control device for vacuum cleaning comprising: 
 a tube having a first end and a second end;    an air valve disposed in the tube, the air valve being movable between a first valve position wherein the air valve substantially prevents air flow through the tube and a second valve position wherein the air valve allows air flow through the tube; and    a handle disposed in communication with the valve, wherein the handle is movable between a first handle position and a second handle position, and wherein the handle is operatively connected to the air valve such that the air valve is in the first valve position when the handle is in the first handle position, and such that the air valve is in the second valve position when the handle is in the second handle position.    
   
   
       2 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , wherein the air valve comprises a butterfly valve.  
   
   
       3 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , wherein the air valve comprises a plate which is pivotably attached to the tube at a pivot axis, and wherein the pivot axis extends across the tube generally perpendicular to the lumen of the tube, and wherein the pivot axis is disposed so as to unevenly divide the cross-sectional area of the tube and thereby bias the plate into a closed position.  
   
   
       4 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing element which biases the handle into the first handle position and the air valve into the first valve position.  
   
   
       5 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a catch for locking the air valve into an open position.  
   
   
       6 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a liquid valve having an inlet, an outlet, and an actuation element for selectively allowing flow through the valve, and wherein the handle operatively engages the actuation element such that movement of the handle selectively allows liquid flow through the valve.    
   
   
       7 . The fluid control device of  claim 6 , wherein the actuation element has a first actuation position wherein the actuation element prevents liquid flow through the valve, and a second actuation position wherein the actuation element allows liquid flow through the valve, and wherein the actuation element is in the first actuation position when the handle is in the first handle position and in the second actuation position when the handle is in the second handle position.  
   
   
       8 . The fluid control device of  claim 6 , wherein the actuation element has a first actuation position wherein the actuation element prevents liquid flow through the valve, and a second actuation position wherein the actuation element allows liquid flow through the valve and wherein the handle has a third handle position beyond the second handle position, and wherein the actuation element is in the first actuation position when the handle is in the first handle position and in the second handle position and in the second actuation position when the handle is in the third handle position.  
   
   
       9 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the tube is configured for attachment to a hose providing suction to the tube and the second end of the tube is configured for attachment to a vacuum cleaning wand.  
   
   
       10 . The fluid control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the tube is configured for attachment to a hose providing suction to the tube and the second end of the tube comprises a vacuum cleaning wand.  
   
   
       11 . The fluid control device of  claim 10 , wherein the vacuum cleaning wand comprises a suction head.  
   
   
       12 . The fluid control device of  claim 6 , wherein the first end of the tube is configured for attachment to a hose providing suction to the tube and the second end of the tube comprises a vacuum cleaning wand having spray jets connected to the outlet of the liquid valve.  
   
   
       13 . A fluid control device for vacuum cleaning comprising: 
 a tube having a first end configured for attachment to a hose providing suction and a second end comprising a vacuum cleaning wand;    an air valve disposed in the tube, the air valve being movable between a first valve position wherein the air valve blocks air flow through the tube and a second valve position wherein the air valve allows air flow through the tube;    a handle operatively connected to the air valve, such that movement of the handle moves the air valve into the second valve position.    
   
   
       14 . The fluid control device of  claim 13 , wherein the handle is movable between a first handle position and a second handle position, and wherein the handle is operatively connected to the air valve such that the air valve is in the first valve position when the handle is in the first handle position, and such that the air valve is in the second valve position when the handle is in the second handle position.  
   
   
       15 . The fluid control device of  claim 13 , further comprising a liquid valve having an inlet, an outlet, and an actuation mechanism, and wherein the handle is movable between a first handle position, a second handle position, and a third handle position, and wherein the handle is operatively connected to the air valve such that the air valve is in the first valve position when the handle is in the first handle position, and such that the air valve is in the second valve position when the handle is in the second handle position, and wherein the handle operatively engages the liquid valve such that when the handle is in the first handle position liquid flow is not allowed through the liquid valve and when the handle is in the third handle position liquid flow is allowed through the liquid valve.  
   
   
       16 . The fluid control device of  claim 15 , wherein the vacuum cleaning wand comprises a vacuum head, and wherein the device further comprises liquid spray nozzles attached adjacent the vacuum head and in fluid engagement with the liquid valve outlet.  
   
   
       17 . The fluid control device of  claim 13 , wherein the air valve is biased into the first position by air flow through the tube.  
   
   
       18 . The fluid control device of  claim 15 , wherein the liquid valve actuation mechanism comprises a button.  
   
   
       19 . A fluid control device for vacuum cleaning comprising: 
 a vacuum cleaning wand comprising an air flow tube;    an air valve disposed in the air flow tube and configured for allowing or blocking air flow through the tube; and    a handle operatively connected to the air valve such that movement of the handle moves the air flow valve to block air flow through the tube.    
   
   
       20 . A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising: 
 a head defining a width;    a suction tube in fluid connection to the head; and    an elongate slot formed in a lower surface of the head so as to allow air to flow into the slot, through the head, and into the tube, the elongate slot having a wave like shape.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the slot defines a sinusoidal shape.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the slot comprises a plurality of horseshoe shaped bends.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the slot lacks any angular bends.