Indoor/outdoor cleaning system

Abstract

An indoor/outdoor cleaning system includes a portable, pressurized housing for containing cleaning fluids (water, chemicals and mixtures thereof). Multiple hoses connect the interior of the housing with a cleaning wand. The wand includes a handle, a hollow trunk portion and a cleaning head. The multiple hoses have outlets adjacent the cleaning head for feeding water, cleaning chemicals, or surface treating fluids thereto. The outlets open adjacent a cleaning pad, which pad is attached to the cleaning head via a mechanism that allows the pad to vibrate at sonic frequency. A variety of cleaning pad accessories (brush, sponge, sanding pad, buffing pad, etc.) can be optionally attached to the cleaning pad based on the type of surface to be cleaned or treated. A suction conduit, disposed in the cleaning head, functions to draw used fluids away from the surface for safe disposal thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to cleaning systems. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a cleaning or surface-treating system in which pressurized water, water/chemical mixtures or surface treating fluids are supplied to a sonic vibrating cleaning pad.

2. Description of the Related Art

Homeowners and small commercial establishments constantly search for affordable, portable, efficient cleaning devices that are also versatile. Surfaces around the home or office such as floors, decks, walls, driveways carpets, upholstery, etc. require cleaning or treating on a periodic basis. More often than not, the home or business owner will attempt to clean or treat these surfaces instead of hiring professional cleaners. The most popular cleaning devices, as shown in the related art, rely on pressurized spray nozzles to accomplish the above noted functions. While somewhat effective, the pressurized nozzle units still leave a lot to be desired, especially when used to clean heavy, layered grime and dirt from surfaces. The art would certainly welcome a cleaning system that could handle a variety of cleaning situations in an effective and efficient manner and yet have the simplicity to be operated by almost anyone.

None of the inventions and patents identified in the accompanying IDS, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the cleaning system as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The indoor/outdoor cleaning system of the present invention comprises a portable, pressurized housing for containing cleaning or treating fluids (water, chemicals and mixtures thereof). The housing is pressurized for reasons that will be explained below. Multiple hoses connect the interior of the housing with a cleaning wand. The wand includes a handle, a hollow trunk portion and a cleaning head. The multiple hoses have outlets in the cleaning head for feeding water and cleaning chemicals thereto. The outlets open adjacent a cleaning pad, which pad is attached to the cleaning head via a mechanism that allows the pad to vibrate at sonic frequency. An accessory (brush, sponge, sanding pad, buffing pad, etc.) is removably attached to the pad and will be selected based on the type of surface to be cleaned or treated. A suction conduit, disposed in the cleaning head, functions to draw used fluids away from the surface for safe disposal thereof.

Accordingly, the invention presents a cleaning system, which system is capable of effectively cleaning and/or treating almost any surface. The system is relatively compact and portable, which permits the system to be utilized by homeowners and small business establishments. Utilization of sonic vibration technology permits the cleaning or treating fluids to be applied to the desired surface area with minimum spillage and waste.

The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cleaning wand of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial view showing a cleaning head of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an LCD screen of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cleaning caddy of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleaning wand of an indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the cleaning system of the present invention is generally indicated at 10. System 10 includes a cleaning wand 12 having a handle 14 attached at an upper end and a cleaning head 16 attached at a lower end. Pressurized housings 18, 18a respectively contain fluids to be supplied to cleaning head 16 via hoses 20 and 20a. Power cord 22 extends from handle 14 for connection to a source of electrical power E. A suction hose 24 is in fluid communication with cleaning head 16. As best seen in FIG. 2, handle 14 is pivotally attached to wand 12 at 14a. Wand 12 is pivotally attached to cleaning head 16 at 12a. A multi-function operating switch 26 and a LCD monitor 28 (both of whose functions are explained below) are mounted on handle 14.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, wand 12 and head 16 have hollow interiors for receiving hoses 20, 20a and power cord 22. Hose 20a has an outlet 30 at base 16a of cleaning head 16. A cleaning pad 34 is disposed adjacent base 16a and is spaced therefrom. Pad 34 has a hollow interior and a perforated base 34a. Hose 20 has an outlet 32 that opens into the interior of pad 34. An electrically powered motor 36 is positioned in head 16 and is connected to power cord 22. Motor 36 functions to produce vibratory motion in shaft 36a, which shaft is connected to cleaning pad 34. The motor is designed to produce vibratory motion in the range of 40,000-150,000 strokes per minute. A replaceable accessory 38 is removably mounted on pad 34. As noted above, accessory 38 will be selected based on the type of surface that is to be cleaned or treated. A suction port 40 is provided to remove the used fluids from the treated surfaces. Suction port 40 is connected to suction hose 24. LCD readout device 28 (FIG. 4) is mounted on the handle and is programmed to monitor selected functions. The functions shown are merely examples of the many functions that may be monitored.

To facilitate the cleaning or treating operation and to enhance portability, a caddy 50 (FIG. 5) is provided to transport housings 52. Housings 52 are adapted to contain all fluids that are utilized in a cleaning or treating process. The housings are provided with pumps 54 for pressurizing the fluids and supplying said fluids to the wand via hoses 20, 20a. A pump also induces suction in suction hose 24 for evacuating the used fluids and disposing of the same. A heating coil is utilized 56 to heat the cleaning or treating fluids if desired.

In a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the wand 12 is self-contained in that a rechargeable battery 60 and pump 62 (both shown in phantom lines) are encased in wand 12. The battery provides power to motor 36 while the pump extracts fluids from housing 18. It should also be noted that housing 18 can take on the form of a canister mounted to the exterior of the wand.

In use, manipulation of multi-function switch 26 will activate a pump(s) for supplying fluids (for example cleaning fluid and water) through hoses 18, 18a. Switch 26 also functions to operate motor 36 to vibrate the cleaning pad. Cleaning fluid and water will exit the cleaning head whereby the cleaning pad employs vibratory motion to clean the desired surface. A suction pump can be activated to withdraw the used fluids away from the surface for safe disposal.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An indoor/outdoor cleaning system, comprising: a housing unit, said housing unit having an interior volume; plural hoses, each hose of said plural hoses having a distal end and a proximate end, said distal end opening into said interior volume; a cleaning wand, said plural hoses attached to said cleaning wand; a cleaning head, said cleaning head attached to said cleaning wand; a cleaning pad, said cleaning pad disposed adjacent said cleaning head; and a vibration inducing motor disposed in said cleaning head and attached to said cleaning pad.

2. The indoor/outdoor cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning head has a base and wherein the proximate end of each hose opens adjacent said base.