TECHNICAL FIELD
The following disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for extracting fluid from flooring such as carpeting.
BACKGROUND
Vacuum sources or pumps are frequently used to remove water or other fluids from flooring such as carpeting. For example, vacuums are often used to extract water from carpeting in homes and buildings that have been flooded due to heavy rains, a broken pipe, sprinklers that are activated in response to a fire, etc. Vacuums are also used to extract water from carpeting that has been saturated with water or cleaning solutions to clean the carpeting. Removing as much water and/or other fluid as possible from the carpeting helps the carpeting dry and prevents mold, unpleasant odors, and/or other undesirable consequences from wet carpeting. To remove the fluid from carpeting and/or any padding beneath the carpeting, vacuum sources are typically connected to a vacuum line and nozzle to provide an interface with the carpeting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of an extractor configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2A is an isometric bottom view of an extractor head of the extractor shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an extractor port housing of the extractor head shown in FIG. 2A.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are bottom plan views of extractor port housings configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional side views illustrating representative embodiments of methods for operating the extractor head of FIGS. 2A and 2B.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of the extractor shown in FIG. 1, with a cutaway view of the handle, and FIG. 5B is a partial isometric top view of the handle, with an exploded view of a suction control lever.
FIGS. 6A-6C are partial cross-sectional side views of the lever shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in various stages of operation.
FIGS. 7A-8C are partial cross-sectional side views of other levers in various stages of operation in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure is directed generally to extractors and associated systems methods for removing water and/or other fluids (e.g., liquids) from flooring, such as carpeting and/or underlying padding. Although embodiments included herein are described with reference to carpeting and/or padding, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein can be used with various other types of flooring surfaces and materials. In addition, the following description identifies specific details with reference to FIGS. 1-8C to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure. Other details describing well-known structures or processes often associated with extractors are not described below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the disclosure. Moreover, although the following disclosure sets forth several embodiments of different aspects of the present technology, other embodiments can have configurations and/or components different than those described in this section. In addition, further embodiments of the technology may be practiced without several of the details described below, while still other embodiments may be practiced with additional details and/or features.
FIG. 1 is an isometric side view of an extractor 100 configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the extractor 100 can have a “wand” configuration, e.g., so as to include an extractor head 102, a handle 150, and a tubular member 190 having an outlet 191 that is configured to be coupled to a vacuum source via a vacuum hose (not shown). The vacuum or suction source can be a truck or van-based vacuum source, as well as any other type of suitable vacuum source to create suction through the extractor head 102. The extractor head 102 includes a suction connector 104, an extractor port housing 106, and an internal suction cavity (not shown) that provides fluid communication between the suction connector 104 and the extractor port housing 106. The extractor head 102 can be configured to be connected to, as well as removed from, the tubular member 190 at the suction connector 104. The extractor port housing 106 is configured to interface with a flooring surface during operation of the extractor 100 (described further with reference to FIGS. 2-4B).
The handle 150 can have a handle body 152, one or more handle members 153 (e.g. a first handle member 153a and a second handle member 153b), fasteners 154, and a suction control device 157. The handle body 152 is shaped to accommodate the tubular member 190 and to carry the tubular member 190 and the extractor head 102 when the extractor head 102 is connected to the tubular member 190. The fasteners 154 can include screws, bolts, rivets, and/or other suitable elements for firmly holding the handle 150 in a fixed position such that the tubular member 190 does not move or rotate about the handle body 152. The handle members 153a and 153b are shaped and positioned so that a user or operator can comfortably hold the extractor 100 while operating the extractor 100. The handle members 153a and 153b can also be configured so that the user can hold the extractor 100 in multiple orientations. For example, the handle members 153a and 153b can be configured such that a user can hold the extractor 100 in a first orientation when operating the extractor 100 in a first direction and a second orientation when operating the extractor 100 in a second direction (as will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B). In a particular embodiment, the extractor 100 can include two handle members 153a and 153b, and the user can grasp each one with one hand. In other embodiments, the extractor 100 can include a single handle member, or more than two handle members. In any of these embodiments, the handle member(s) can be positioned to allow the user to access the suction control device 157 during normal operation.
The suction control device 157 can include a lever 156 coupled to a plate 158 that is pivotally coupled to the handle body 152. The suction control device 157 is configured to control an amount of suction (or fluid flow rate) through the tubular member 190 and the extractor head 102 by varying the position of the plate 158 over one or more suction control openings below the plate 158 (described further with reference to FIGS. 5A-6C). The suction control device 157 can be positioned such that it can be controlled by a user who is operating the extractor 100. In certain embodiments, the suction control device 157 is positioned such that it can be controlled by a user while simultaneously operating the extractor 100, to remove fluid from a flooring surface. In still further embodiments, the suction control device 157 can be positioned to be controlled by the same hand that is carrying the extractor 100, such as with an index finger, thumb, or combination of the user's fingers of the hand that holds the second handle member 153b.
FIG. 2A is an isometric bottom view of the extractor head 102, showing the extractor port housing 106. The extractor port housing 106 includes a recessed surface 208 generally aligned along an elongated axis (e.g., the X-axis), an array 210 or rows having individual openings 212, and first and second lips 214a and 214b adjacent the recessed surface 208 and generally aligned with the elongated axis. The individual openings 212 can have an elongated shape, can extend through the recessed surface 208, and are in fluid communication with an interior suction cavity 203 of the extractor head 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the rows of the array 210 are in a staggered configuration. In other embodiments, the rows of the array 210 and/or openings 212 can be configured differently. For example, embodiments may include more or fewer rows in an array and/or openings, rows and openings can be spaced differently, and/or rows and openings can have different shapes as will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 3. In general, the openings 212 provide suction that draws fluid from a flooring surface and into the interior suction cavity 203 of the extractor head 102. As will be described in more detail below, this suction may be enhanced in some embodiments by a squeegee function provided by the first and second lips 214a and 214b and the recessed surface 208.
The recessed surface 208 can be generally concave and can have a curved profile. FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the extractor port housing 106 that shows the curved profile of the recessed surface 208. In general, the curved profile defines a depression or crater 216 in the extractor port housing 106 that facilitates collecting fluid through the openings 212 (drawn in phantom). In some embodiments, the recessed surface 208 may have a different profile, curvature, or shape, such as a triangular, polygonal, or other geometric profile or shape. In other embodiments, the depression 216 may be shallower or deeper.
The first and second lips 214a and 214b in FIGS. 2A and 2B are generally convex relative to a flat plane P and the generally concave shape of the recessed surface 208. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second lips 214a and 214b have curved surfaces 215a and 215b, respectively. In other embodiments, the first and second lips 214a and 214b can have different shapes or profiles. During operation, a user can position the first lip 214a and/or the second lip 214b at a desired location on a flooring surface. A vacuum source coupled to the extractor port housing 106 through the extractor head 102 creates suction through the openings 212 of the extractor port housing 106. The user can apply a force that causes the first lip 214a and/or the second lip 214b of the extractor port housing 106 to contact a flooring surface and at least partially seal the outer periphery of the extractor port housing 106 to the flooring surface. As the first lip 214a and/or the second lip 214b is pressed into the flooring surface, the fluid is compressed out of the carpeting of a flooring surface and/or padding beneath the carpeting. The suction in the extractor port housing 106 draws this fluid through the openings 212 to remove the fluid from the flooring surface.
In particular embodiments, the first and second lips 214a and 214b are also configured to provide an edge that controls the flow of liquid when the first lip 214a is in contact with a flooring surface and when the second lip 214b is in contact with the flooring surface. For example, the first and second lips 214a and 214b can control or direct the flow of liquid toward the depression 216 of the extractor port housing 106 when the extractor port housing 106 is operated under a vacuum. In one embodiment, the first and second lips 214a and 214b are positioned relative to the recessed surface 208 to provide a squeegee function that directs the fluid into the depression 216. A suction force, applied through the openings 212, can then remove the fluid that was directed toward the depression 216. For example, the first lip 214a and the recessed surface 208 can provide a squeegee function when the extractor head 102 is moved or operated in a first direction D1. In addition, the second lip 214b and the recessed surface 208 can provide a separate squeegee function when the extractor head 102 is moved or operated in a second direction D2 that is different than (e.g., opposite from) the first direction D1. In some embodiments, the first lip 214a has a different shape or size than the second lip 214b to enhance operation. In various embodiments, a small lip can enhance operation in one direction, while a larger lip can enhance operation in another direction.
FIG. 3A, for example, shows an embodiment of an extractor port housing 306 having an array of rows with individual circular openings 313. FIG. 3B, as another example, shows the extractor port housing 306 having an array of rows with rectangular openings 312 in an alternating pattern with the circular openings 313. As shown, the rectangular openings 312 are less elongated than the openings 212 of FIG. 2A. In any of these embodiments, the lips can each provide a distinct squeegee function depending upon the direction in which the user moves the head as described further below with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional side views of an embodiment for operating the extractor head 102 to remove fluid from a flooring surface 420 by providing a squeegee function. FIG. 4A shows the extractor head 102 being moved in a first direction D1 that is toward the user or operator (e.g., a back stroke motion). In this example, the first lip 214a provides a squeegee function. During operation, the first lip 214a provides an edge that contacts the flooring surface 420 while the second lip 214b is not in contact with the flooring surface 420 or has less contact force with the flooring surface 420. The edge of the first lip 214a controls or directs fluid from the flooring surface 420 toward the depression 216 (FIG. 2B) while contacting the flooring surface 420. FIG. 4B shows the extractor head 102 being moved in a second direction D2 that is away from the operator or user (e.g., a forward stroke motion). In this example, the second lip 214b provides a squeegee function. During operation, the second lip 214b provides an edge that contacts the flooring surface 420 while the first lip 214a is not in contact with the flooring surface 420 or has less contact force with the flooring surface 420. In this orientation, the edge at the second lip 214b control or directs fluid from the flooring surface 420 toward the depression 216 (FIG. 2B).
Conventional extractor heads, by contrast, do not allow for such fluid control, such as through a squeegee function. Rather, conventional extractor heads are generally required to be held in a single specific orientation during operation. Conventional extractor housings typically have a planar surface that must be maintained generally in parallel with the flooring surface during all phases of operation. If the conventional extractor head deviates from this orientation, the fluid removal efficacy of the device can decrease significantly.
Embodiments of the present disclosure, however, overcome these and other limitations of conventional extractor heads. As discussed above, the extractor head 102 provides a squeegee function that enhances fluid removal efficiency. In addition, the extractor head 102 can support and/or facilitate dynamically positioning and/or orientating the surfaces and openings it contains. In particular, the first and second lips 214a and 214b can have curved surfaces, forming multiple contact edges between a lip and the flooring surface 420 to create a seal or partial seal with the flooring surface. For example, shorter or taller users may position or orient the extractor head differently, while still maintaining an edge that contacts the flooring surface 420. Also, the position or orientation of the head can be varied depending on how vigorously or forcefully the user is applying the extractor head 102 at the flooring surface 420. Fluid removal efficacy can be enhanced by applying vertical and/or lateral force to the flooring surface 420 through the first lip 214a and/or the second lip 214b. In other embodiments, fluid control occurs while the extractor head 102 is stationary, but still maintains in contact with the flooring surface 420 through the first lip 214a or the second lip 214b.
In some embodiments, the extractor head 102 can be used in combination with the suction control device 157 (FIG. 1). For example, the user may want to reduce the amount of resistance created by the suction during one or both strokes. In one embodiment, the user may use the suction control device 157 to decrease the amount of suction through the extractor head 102 while moving the extractor head 102 in the first direction D1 (e.g., a back stroke motion) or the second direction D2 (e.g., a forward stroke motion). In other embodiments, the user can reduce the suction for lower nap carpeting, such as commercial grade carpeting. Suction control and adjustment may also be helpful for carpeting with a high concentration of air gaps. In any of these embodiments, the user can easily access the suction control device 157 during normal use, without adjusting the user's grip on the extractor 100, as will be described further below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B.
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view of the extractor 100, with a cutaway view of the handle 150. FIG. 5A shows a pass-through portion 559 of the handle 150 that is configured to accommodate the tubular member 190. The fasteners 140 can be configured to firmly hold a removable piece of the handle body 152. The tubular member 190 also includes bend portions 592 and 593 that position the tubular member 190 in the handle body 152 such that the tubular member 190 does not slide through the handle body 152.
FIG. 5B is a partial isometric top view of the handle 150 with an exploded view of the suction control device 157. The suction control device 157 includes the plate 158, a lever arm 560 coupled to the plate 158, and a finger tab 562 coupled to the lever arm 560. The plate 158 can have a generally curved shape that conforms to the curved shape of the tubular member 190. A hinge 564 pivotally couples the lever arm 560 and the finger tab 562 to the handle body 152. A pin 566 provides a pivot point for the hinge 564, and a screw 568 attaches the hinge 564 to the handle body 152. The finger tab 562 extends above the lever arm 560 and is positioned such that a user can control the position of the plate 158 while simultaneously holding and operating the extractor 100. As will be described in more detail below, the position of the plate 158 can control the amount of suction through the extractor head 102, including the extractor port housing 106. Accordingly, because the lever 156 is closely positioned to the handle body 152, a user can control the suction applied by the extractor 100 “on the fly,” such as by pulling or releasing the finger tab 562. This allows a user to control the suction during an entire cleaning motion (e.g., during an entire motion that includes a forward and a back stroke motion). By contrast, conventional extractors typically do not allow for such control. Instead, a suction adjustment mechanism is typically located away from the handle, which means the user is required to stop operating the conventional extractor in order to set the suction adjustment.
Suction control in accordance with particular embodiments disclosed herein is provided by the combination of the lever 156 and suction control openings 572. The suction control openings 572 extend through the tubular member 190 and are in fluid communication with an interior portion of the tubular member 190. A gasket 570 is positioned on the tubular member 190 and is configured to form a seal between the tubular member 190 and the plate 158 when the lever 156 is in a closed position, or a partial seal when the lever 156 is in a partially opened position. The gasket 570 can include corresponding openings (not visible in FIG. 5B) that are aligned with the suction control openings 572. The gasket 570 can be made from an elastomeric material, such as rubber, neoprene, silicone, ethylene propylene diene monomer, or other material suitable for forming a seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket 570 is attached to the tubular member 190. In other embodiments, the gasket 570 can be attached to the plate 158. In such an embodiment, the openings of the gasket 570 can be omitted.
In operation, the user controls the amount of suction provided by the extractor by changing the position of the plate 158 through operation of the lever 156. When the lever 156 is moved from the closed position to an open position, the plate 158 uncovers a portion of the suction control openings 572, which reduces the suction applied by the extractor head 102 extractor port housing. As the plate 158 is moved farther away from the gasket 570, a larger portion of the suction control openings 572 becomes uncovered, which diverts a larger amount of suction from the extractor head 102.
FIGS. 6A-6C are partial cross-sectional side views of the lever 156 in various stages of operation. FIG. 6A shows the plate 158 covering the gasket 570 and the suction control openings 572 (identified individually as first and second suction control openings 572a and 572b). In this configuration, the lever 156 is in a closed position and suction force is not diverted from the extractor head 102. FIG. 6B shows the lever 156 in a partially open position, with the plate 158 significantly blocking the first suction control opening 572a and less significantly blocking or not blocking the suction control opening 572b. FIG. 6C shows the lever 156 in an open position. In this configuration, the lever 156 is positioned such that the plate 158 is positioned to generally uncover the suction control openings 572a and 572b extractor port housing
FIGS. 7A-8C are partial cross-sectional side views of other embodiments of levers in various stages of operation. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a lever 756 that includes first and second cone-shaped plugs 782a and 782b that align with the corresponding first and second suction control openings 572a and 572b, respectively. In one embodiment, the plugs 782a and 782b can be configured to provide a tight seal between the plate 158 and the gasket 570 in the closed positioned (FIG. 7A). The plugs 782a and 782b can partially block the suction control openings 572a and 572b in one or more intermediate positions. For example, in FIG. 7B, the first and second plugs 782a and 782b cover the first and second suction control openings 572a and 572b over a diameter d1 and d2, respectively. In the orientation of 7C, the first plug 782a covers a smaller diameter d3 over the suction control opening 572a, and the second plug 772b is completely removed from the suction control opening 572b. In at least some cases, the plugs 782a and 782b can provide an increased level of control when connected to the plate 158 described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C. In any of these embodiments, the plugs can be made from a gasket material (e.g., plastic or metal, or another suitable material).
In some embodiments, the suction control device 157 can include one or more components for controlling and/or holding the orientation of the plate 158. FIGS. 8A-8C show a capstan mechanism 884 configured to hold the plate 158 of the lever 756 in the orientations of FIGS. 7A-7C. The capstan mechanism 884 includes a spring 886 and a ratchet bar 888 with grooves 889 configured to hold the plate 158 in each of the orientations of FIGS. 7A-7C as well as in other orientations. The user or operator can adjust the position of the plate 158 by raising or lowering the plate 158 into one of the grooves 889. The spring 886 can provide a force that counteracts a force created by the suction through the tubular member 190.
Although the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6A-8C illustrate several representative projections, surfaces, and configurations for controlling suction, other embodiments include projections with other shapes, surfaces, and/or configurations. For example, individual control openings 572 can be larger or smaller or have different shapes and/or sizes with respect to other suction control openings. In addition, embodiments that employ plugs can also have any of a myriad of different shapes or sizes for controlling suction through a suction control material. For example, rather than a conical shape, embodiments of the plug can be cylindrical or semispherical.
In other embodiments levers, gaskets, and related mechanisms for opening/closing suction control openings can have other configurations. In one embodiment, a lever can be configured to cover the suction control openings by a sliding mechanism rather than a pivot mechanism. In another embodiment, the gasket 570 can be coupled to the plate 158 instead of the tubular member 190. In other embodiments, other types of hinges and/or fastening mechanisms can be employed. In still further embodiments the suction control device can be carried by the tubular member 190 rather than the handle 150, but can still be accessible by the user such that the control device can be operated while simultaneously operating the extractor.
Components of the extractor 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can be manufactured from a variety of materials. For example, the tubular member 190 can be manufactured from metal, such as from a sheet of cold rolled steel. The extractor head 102, the handle 150, and related components can each be made from an injection molded plastic, including for example, thermoplastics and thermosets. In one embodiment, the extractor head 102, or at least a portion of the extractor head 102, can be transparent to allow a user to view fluid moving through the extractor head 102 during use. In some embodiments, the related components of the extractor head 102 and/or the handle 150 can be made from different materials. For example, the extractor port housing 106 can be manufactured from a different material than the body of the extractor head 102.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the extractor described herein has a handle and an extractor head that are detachable from the tube; however, in some embodiments, two or more of these components can be integrated into a single component, such as a tube that is integrated into the handle to form a single component. In other embodiments, an extractor head as described herein can be configured so that it can be adapted to fit to a conventional extractor. For example, a conventional extractor head can be removed and then replaced or retrofitted with an embodiment of the extractor head.
The methods disclosed herein include and encompass, in addition to methods of making and using the disclosed devices and systems, methods of instructing others to make and use the disclosed devices and systems. In some embodiments, such instructions may be used to teach the user how to operate the extractor according to the various embodiments of operations. For example, the operating instructions can instruct the user how to provide any of the operational aspects of FIGS. 4A and 4B, such as a squeegee function. Similarly, the operating instructions can instruct the user how to control or adjust suction while operating the extractor, such as by controlling embodiments of the lever 156. In some embodiments, methods of instructing such use and manufacture may take the form of computer-readable-medium-based executable programs or processes.
Moreover, aspects described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, although advantages associated with certain embodiments have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the disclosure. The following examples provide further embodiments of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20140060577
