Floor cleaner having a removable nozzle

Abstract

A cleaning head for a cleaning machine that cleans a surface includes a housing defining a bottom that faces the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom. A brushroll positioned near the bottom of the housing to engage the surface during operation. The brushroll is releaseably connected to the housing; the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing. A suction nozzle has an inlet that draws debris from the surface into the suction nozzle. The suction nozzle is releaseably connected to the housing; the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cleaning machine comprising:
 a body having a first end configured to be engaged by a user during operation and a second end spaced from the first end;   a supply tank connected to the body and configured to store a cleaning fluid;   a cleaning head pivotally connected to the second end of the body, the cleaning head having a bottom configured to face a surface to be cleaned and a top spaced above the bottom;   a distributor fluidly connected to the supply tank to deliver the cleaning fluid from the supply tank;   a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the cleaning head, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head;   a suction source in fluid communication with the suction nozzle, the suction source operable to draw fluid into the suction nozzle; and   a recovery tank in fluid communication with the suction nozzle and the suction source, the recovery tank configured to store fluid drawn through the suction nozzle.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction conduit fluidly connected to an outlet of the suction nozzle and the recovery tank, such that the suction source draws fluid from the surface, through the suction nozzle and into the recovery tank. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a brushroll positioned proximate the bottom of the cleaning head, the brushroll being configured to engage the surface during operation. 
     
     
         4 . The cleaning machine of  claim 3 , wherein the suction nozzle is configured to engage the brushroll, such that the suction source draws fluid from the brushroll into the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning machine of  claim 3 , wherein the brushroll is releaseably connected to the cleaning head such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the cleaning head. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head, wherein the fastener is removable by a user without the use of tools, such that the suction nozzle is removable in the downward direction from the bottom of the cleaning head without the use of tools. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the cleaning head, wherein the fastener includes at least one of a screw, a bayonet coupling, and a quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning machine of  claim 1 , wherein the suction nozzle includes an upwardly extending protrusion and the cleaning head defines a recess sized to receive the upwardly extending protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The cleaning machine of  claim 8 , further comprising a fastener configured to connect the upwardly extending protrusion of the suction nozzle to the recess of the cleaning head to thereby retain the protrusion within the recess. 
     
     
         10 . A cleaning head for a cleaning machine configured to clean a surface, the cleaning head comprising:
 a housing defining a bottom configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom;   a distributor configured to receive cleaning fluid from a supply tank and to deliver the cleaning fluid; and   a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw fluid from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the housing, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.   
     
     
         11 . The cleaning head of  claim 10 , further comprising a brushroll positioned proximate the bottom of the housing, the brushroll being configured to engage the surface during operation. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning head of  claim 11 , wherein the suction nozzle is configured to engage the brushroll, such that a suction source is configured to draw fluid from the brushroll into the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         13 . The cleaning head of  claim 11 , wherein the brushroll is releaseably connected to the housing such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The cleaning head of  claim 11 , wherein the suction nozzle is configured to draw fluid directly from the surface into the suction nozzle. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning head of  claim 10 , further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the housing, wherein the fastener is removable by a user without the use of tools, such that the suction nozzle is removable from the lower surface of the housing without the use of tools. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning machine of  claim 10 , further comprising a fastener configured to releasably connect the suction nozzle to the housing, wherein the fastener includes at least one of a screw, a bayonet coupling, and a quick connect coupling. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning machine of  claim 10 , wherein the suction nozzle includes an upwardly extending protrusion and the housing further comprises a recess sized to receive the upwardly extending protrusion. 
     
     
         18 . The cleaning machine of  claim 17 , further comprising a fastener configured to connect the upwardly extending protrusion of the suction nozzle to the recess of the housing to thereby retain the protrusion within the recess. 
     
     
         19 . A cleaning head for a cleaning machine configured to clean a surface, the cleaning head comprising:
 a housing defining a bottom configured to face the surface to be cleaned, and a top spaced above the bottom;   a brushroll positioned proximate the bottom of the housing, the brushroll being configured to engage the surface during operation, the brushroll being releaseably connected to the housing such that the brushroll is removable in an upward direction from the top of the housing; and   a suction nozzle having an inlet configured to draw debris from the surface into the suction nozzle, the suction nozzle being releaseably connected to the housing, such that the suction nozzle is removable in a downward direction from the bottom of the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The cleaning head of  claim 19 , further comprising a cover removably coupled to the housing, such that while the cover is installed on the housing, the cover is configured to cover the brushroll, and such that while the cover is removed, the brushroll is accessible from the top of the housing.