Abstract: A cleaning machine has a housing, a supply tank, a suction nozzle, a suction source, and a recovery tank that includes a container having sidewalls projecting upwardly from a bottom wall thereby defining an open top, a cover connected to the open top of the container, and an air-liquid separator extending into the recovery tank from the open top and having a vertical sidewall, a lower wall extending laterally from a lower end of the vertical sidewall toward an adjacent sidewall of the sidewalls of the container. The vertical sidewall, the lower wall, and the adjacent sidewall define a separation chamber, the vertical sidewall includes a vertical rib extending outwardly from the vertical sidewall and into the separation chamber. The separation chamber includes a dirty fluid inlet receiving fluid from the suction nozzle through the cover, and a dirty fluid outlet directing fluid from the separation chamber into the container.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for an extraction cleaner includes a tool body including a nozzle portion connected to an elongated handle portion and a nozzle cover removably mounted to the nozzle portion forming a suction nozzle therebetween. The suction nozzle is configured to extract recovered liquid and dirt. The cleaning tool also includes an internal conduit in fluid communication with the suction nozzle configured to transport recovered liquid and dirt extracted by the suction nozzle. The internal conduit extending longitudinally within the handle portion between opposite ends of the handle portion. The cleaning tool further includes a spray nozzle configured to distribute cleaning liquid forward of the nozzle cover and a supply tube configured to carry cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle passes through the suction nozzle or the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a base movable over a surface to be cleaned, the base including a front side, a back side opposite the front side, and a brushroll chamber. A supply tank is configured to store a cleaning fluid and a distribution nozzle is in fluid communication with the supply tank, the distribution nozzle operable to dispense the cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. A brushroll cover is removable from the base to access the brushroll chamber. A brushroll is within the brushroll chamber. The distribution nozzle is disposed adjacent the front side of the base and carried on an upper exterior portion of the base and configured to spray forwardly of the base in a direction from the back side toward the front side.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner (10) includes a main body (22), a handle (98), and a receptacle (150) having an inlet (154). The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a motor assembly (114) positioned within the main body, a dirty air inlet (14) positioned at a front of the handheld vacuum cleaner, a cyclonic chamber (30) in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and the motor assembly, and a battery (138) including a first side surface (142) and a second side surface (146) opposite the first side surface. The battery is configured to be selectively received within the receptacle through the inlet. When the battery is positioned within the receptacle, each of the first side surface and the second side surface are at least 25 percent exposed through apertures at the respective first and second lateral sides (58, 62) of the main body such that the first and second side surfaces are graspable by a user.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a base defining a suction chamber, a brushroll driven by a brushroll motor, a transmitter and a receiver both of which are in wireless communication with a user-controlled electronic device, and a controller in communication with the transmitter, the receiver, the brushroll sensor, and the floor sensor. The controller controls the brushroll motor. The controlling the brushroll motor includes controlling the brushroll motor to a first value or a second value based on a user selected factor.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a recovery tank support structure for a surface cleaning device such as an extractor. The support structure partially encircles and supports the recovery tank removably mounted to a base in order to prevent any unwanted movement of the tank or its contents during operation of the extractor. The support structure creates a void for housing the recovery tank, wherein a locking mechanism may be employed to engage the recovery tank and secure it in position. An upper portion having a handle for propelling the extractor is pivotable about the base independent of the support structure thereby allowing a user access to a wide range of pivoting motion and maneuverability during extractor operation.

Abstract: A surface cleaner is provided. The surface cleaner comprises: an operating component configured to perform a function of the surface cleaner; a base moveable along a surface; an accelerometer configured to generate a signal; and a controller in communication with the accelerometer and the operating component, wherein the controller is operable to control the operating component based on the signal, and wherein the operating component is selected from a group consisting of a suction motor operable to generate an airflow, a brushroll motor operable to drive a brushroll, an actuator operable to adjust a height of a brushroll from the surface, a pump operable to deliver a cleaning fluid, an actuator operable to control an airflow or fluid valve, and an indicator operable to indicate a parameter of the surface cleaner.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for an extraction cleaner includes a tool body including a nozzle portion connected to an elongated handle portion and a nozzle cover removably mounted to the nozzle portion forming a suction nozzle therebetween. The suction nozzle is configured to extract recovered liquid and dirt. The cleaning tool also includes an internal conduit in fluid communication with the suction nozzle configured to transport recovered liquid and dirt extracted by the suction nozzle. The internal conduit extending longitudinally within the handle portion between opposite ends of the handle portion. The cleaning tool further includes a spray nozzle configured to distribute cleaning liquid forward of the nozzle cover and a supply tube configured to carry cleaning liquid to the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle passes through the suction nozzle or the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprising a suction source operable to generate an airflow, a first stage cyclonic separator configured to separate debris from the airflow, the airflow rotatable about a first stage separator axis in the first stage separator to separate the debris from the airflow, a second stage cyclonic separator downstream from the first stage cyclonic separator, the second stage cyclonic separator configured to separate debris from the airflow, a first stage collector configured to receive debris from the first stage cyclonic separator, and a second stage collector configured to receive debris from the second stage cyclonic separator, the second stage collector being within the first stage collector, the second stage collector having a cross section taken normal to the first stage separator axis that is polygonal.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner includes a main body with a handle extending along a handle axis. The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a motor assembly positioned within the main body. The handle axis intersects the motor assembly. The handheld vacuum cleaner also includes a dirty air inlet positioned at a front of the handheld vacuum cleaner and extending along an inlet axis. In addition, the handheld vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic chamber in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet and the motor assembly. The cyclonic chamber defines a separator axis. The inlet axis and the separator axis intersect to form an acute angle extending between the dirty air inlet and the cyclonic chamber. The inlet axis and the handle axis intersect to form an obtuse angle extending between the dirty air inlet and the handle.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a vacuum source, a supply tank configured to store a cleaning fluid, and a distribution nozzle in fluid communication with the supply tank. The distribution nozzle is configured to dispense the cleaning fluid onto a surface to be cleaned. The floor cleaner further includes a base movable over a surface to be cleaned, the base includes a suction inlet in fluid communication with the vacuum source, a brushroll chamber, a brushroll in the brushroll chamber, the brushroll rotatable about a brushroll axis. The base further includes a brushroll cover releasably attached to the base, the brushroll cover removable to access the brushroll chamber and the brushroll, the brushroll cover having a squeegee that contacts the brushroll. The brushroll axis is between a lower end of the base and the squeegee.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a triggerless extractor surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface in which a cleaning solution is distributed to the surface and extracted using suction along with dirt and/or debris on the surface in a continuous operation as the extractor moves along the surface. The extractor further comprises an encoder positioned adjacent a wheel of the extractor for detecting a rotational direction and speed of the wheel to generate a signal. Based on receiving the signal, a controller controls operation of a valve to situationally distribute the cleaning solution to the surface depending on a forward rotation of the wheel and independent of user actuation of a trigger positioned on a handle used to propel the extractor along the surface. Distribution of the cleaning solution can be further optimized based on the detected rotational speed of the wheel.

Abstract: A surface cleaner is provided. The surface cleaner comprises: an operating component configured to perform a function of the surface cleaner; a base moveable along a surface; an accelerometer configured to generate a signal; and a controller in communication with the accelerometer and the operating component, wherein the controller is operable to control the operating component based on the signal, and wherein the operating component is selected from a group consisting of a suction motor operable to generate an airflow, a brushroll motor operable to drive a brushroll, an actuator operable to adjust a height of a brushroll from the surface, a pump operable to deliver a cleaning fluid, an actuator operable to control an airflow or fluid valve, and an indicator operable to indicate a parameter of the surface cleaner.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner including a suction inlet, a conduit in fluid communication with the suction inlet, a filter having a valve releasably connected to a filter inlet, the filter configured to collect debris drawn through the suction inlet. The vacuum cleaner further comprising a release mechanism moveable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the filter is in fluid communication with the conduit to collect debris with the valve being open, and in the second position, the filter is disconnected from the conduit with the valve being closed. Movement of the release mechanism between the first and second positions closes the valve.

Abstract: A floor cleaner including a recovery tank. The recovery tank includes a tank body having a lower end wall, an open upper end, and a sidewall that extend upwardly from the lower end wall. A cover that includes a suction air outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum source. An inlet duct extends upwardly from the lower end wall. The recover tank includes a shutoff float including a float body and a closure. The float body is configured to float on a surface of cleaning fluid and the closure is received in the suction air outlet to close the suction air outlet. The float body moves along the inlet duct as the float body floats on the surface of the cleaning fluid. The float body includes an aperture extending through the float body and the inlet duct extends through the aperture of the float body.

Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner (10), including a main body (22) having a handle (98), a motor assembly (114) positioned within the main body, and a cyclonic separator assembly (26) removably coupled to the main body. The cyclonic separator assembly includes an inlet nozzle (42) having a dirty air inlet (14) positioned in the front of the handheld vacuum cleaner when the cyclonic separator assembly is coupled to the main body, and a cyclonic chamber (30) in fluid communication with the dirty air inlet. The cyclonic chamber defines a separator axis (34). The cyclonic separator assembly further includes a dirt collection region (38) configured to receive debris separated in the cyclonic chamber. The inlet nozzle includes an upstream height (270) measured perpendicular to the inlet axis and a downstream height (274) measured parallel to the separator axis. The downstream height is larger than the upstream height.