Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated body having a plurality of furrows for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool. The elongated body is further be made of a material that is selected to impart flexibility to the accessory tool so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion can be bent about a radius through an angle up to 45° without kinking or breaking in a direction transverse to and laterally of elongated cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and a ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned. The ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism for raising and lowering the housing relative to the support.

Abstract: A floor sweeper for recovering material from a surface to be cleaned comprises a handle assembly pivotably attached to a foot assembly. The foot assembly comprises a housing forming a brush chamber having a bottom opening. The foot assembly comprises a pair of driving gears and a split brush assembly rotatably mounted within the brush chamber and adapted to contact the surface through the opening. The brush assembly comprises two separately-rotatable halves each corresponding to one of the driving gears, with each half comprising a brush core, brush paddles or bristles affixed to an exterior of the brush core, and a brush gear adapted for rotation with the brush core. Each brush gear is driven by a corresponding driving gear to the corresponding brush core as the floor assembly is moved across the surface in order to drive the brushes to cleaning of the surface.

Abstract: A cleaning implement comprises a cleaning body assembly, a trigger assembly, at least one aerosol-cleaning container, a brush assembly, and a squeegee assembly whereby fluid from the cleaning container is dispensed by the trigger assembly. In one embodiment, the squeegee assembly is rotatably mounted to the cleaning body assembly. In another embodiment, the squeegee assembly is removably mounted to the cleaning body assembly.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a housing adapted to move along a surface to be cleaned and having a suction nozzle at a forward portion thereof, at least one agitator mounted for rotational movement within the suction nozzle and at least one ground-engaging wheel mounted rearwardly of the suction nozzle and a cord guard mounted to the housing in a position rearward of the suction nozzle and adapted to block the ingestion into the suction nozzle of a cord on the surface to be cleaned during rearward movement of the base along the surface.

Abstract: A method of surface cleaning wherein recovering a soiled cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned is subsequent to the application of fluid to the surface as a module moves along different and opposite directions.

Abstract: An accessory tool according to the present invention comprises a recovery tank assembly for removing fluid and dirt from a surface to the cleaned and storing the recovered fluid and dirt. The recovery tank assembly comprises a suction nozzle in fluid communication with a recovery tank. The accessory tool further comprises a fan/turbine assembly including a turbine-driven suction fan for generating suction at the suction nozzle, which draws liquid and air into and through the accessory tool. The turbine-driven suction fan can be magnetically coupled with the turbine. The accessory tool can further comprise a fluid dispensing assembly for storing and distributing fluid to the surface to the cleaned. The fluid dispensing assembly can comprise a turbine-driven fluid pump.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and a foot-actuated belt drive disengaging mechanism and a ratchet ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned. The ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism for raising and lowering the housing relative to the support.

Abstract: Surface cleaning wherein recovering a soiled cleaning fluid from a surface to be cleaned is subsequent to the application of fluid to the surface as a module moves along a given direction as a module moves along different and opposite directions. A method and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: An upright extraction cleaning machine for cleaning a surface comprises a base assembly having a housing having at least one side wall and a rear wall extending toward the surface. A source of heated air is enclosed within the base assembly and the heated air is dischargeable through a bottom of the base assembly to the surface. At least one side wall skirt extends from the at least one side wall toward the surface, and a rear wall skirt extends from the rear wall toward the surface. The at least one side wall skirt and the rear wall skirt define an enclosed space beneath the base assembly for retaining heated air discharged from the base assembly against the surface.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner comprises a motor-driven rotatable agitator coupled with a shaft of the motor through a belt. A belt disengaging device for a vacuum cleaner comprises a pin that is movable through an arc of less than 180° between an engaged position and a disengaged position, at which the pin lifts the belt off the motor shaft. An actuator for the belt disengaging device includes a first exterior portion for user access and is moveable between a first and second position. A linkage pivotally connected to the actuator and the mechanically coupled to the pin moves the pin between the engaged and disengaged positions as the actuator moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises housing, a support, and ratchet-operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism for raising or lowering a suction nozzle on the base assembly relative to a surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner comprises a base assembly pivotally connected to an upright assembly. The base assembly comprises a foot-actuated belt drive disengaging mechanism and a ratchet operated nozzle height adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: An accessory tool according to the present invention comprises a recovery tank assembly for removing fluid and dirt from a surface to the cleaned and storing the recovered fluid and dirt. The recovery tank assembly comprises a suction nozzle in fluid communication with a recovery tank. The accessory tool further comprises a fan/turbine assembly including a turbine-driven suction fan for generating suction at the suction nozzle, which draws liquid and air into and through the accessory tool. The turbine-driven suction fan can be magnetically coupled with the turbine. The accessory tool can further comprise a fluid dispensing assembly for storing and distributing fluid to the surface to the cleaned. The fluid dispensing assembly can comprise a turbine-driven fluid pump.

Abstract: An vacuum cleaning robot has a drive system adapted to autonomously move a base housing along a horizontal surface and is controlled by a computer processing unit. A dusting assembly is mounted to the base housing and is adapted to selectively rest on a surface to be cleaned. A suction source draws dirt and debris through a suction nozzle and deposits the same in the recovery tank. A power source is connected to the drive system and to the computer processing unit. The computer processing unit is adapted to direct horizontal movement of the base housing within boundaries of the surface to be cleaned based upon input data defining said boundaries.

Abstract: An accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner comprises an elongated body having a plurality of furrows for imparting flexibility to the accessory tool. The elongated body is further be made of a material that is selected to impart flexibility to the accessory tool so that the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion can be bent about a radius through an angle up to 45° without kinking or breaking in a direction transverse to and laterally of elongated cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A spot cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a fluid distribution system, a fluid recovery system, an agitation system, and a controller system to automatically monitor and control inputs and outputs to said systems for removal of spots and stains from a surface without attendance by a user. A suction nozzle and agitation device are mounted to the housing for movement over the surface to be cleaned relative to a stationary housing. Optionally, the spot cleaning apparatus can be operated in a manual mode.

Abstract: An aerosol spray cleaner comprises two containers and a dispenser with a single dispensing spray outlet. One container has a cleaning composition and the other has an oxidizing composition. An integrally molded actuator includes a resiliently cantilevered lever connected to container valves to simultaneously open the valves to dispense the two fluids through the dispensing spray outlet. A handle extends laterally of the containers so grasp the handle and depress the actuator with a thumb.

Abstract: An upright extraction cleaning machine comprises a base module, an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module, a cleaning solution dispensing system for depositing a cleaning solution on a surface to be cleaned, and a fluid recovery system for recovering expended cleaning solution from the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning solution dispensing system includes at least one tank for holding solution to be dispensed and the recovery system includes a tank for holding recovered solution. Each of the tanks comprises a flexible bladder that is collapsible when empty and will expand as it is filled by the respective fluid. In one embodiment, the upright extraction cleaning machine further comprises additional tanks for holding detergent and carpet treatment to be dispensed. In a further embodiment, the additional tanks for detergent and carpet treatment each comprise a flexible bladder.

Abstract: An extraction cleaner has a fluid recovery system, a liquid dispensing system for dispensing a fluid onto a surface to be cleaned and a liquid recovery system for recovered soiled fluid from the surface wherein a cleaning fluid supply tank has an insulated wall for maintaining the fluid at an elevated temperature suitable for effective cleaning.