Abstract: An improved floor cleaning unit is provided. The floor cleaning unit comprises a base for movement along the surface. A nozzle assembly is removably attached to the base for pick up and removal of liquid and dirt. Such attachment is accomplished by providing the nozzle assembly with a slide latch that slidably engages a channel formed in the base.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a main body and a brush assembly for engaging the surface of the floor being cleaned. An actuating member movably connected to the main body. A latch member rotatably connected to the main body. An engaging member attached to the brush assembly. The engaging member being releasably connected to the latch member such that pushing the actuating member rotates the latch member to disengage from the engaging member.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly driven by a brush motor for agitating the surface. The brush assembly includes a lifting mechanism for moving the brush assembly from a first position wherein the brush is off the surface to a second position wherein the brush assembly is on the surface. A switching assembly is responsive to the brush lifting mechanism to energize the brush motor when the brush assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: An improved floor cleaning device comprises a base portion for movement along a surface and a handle portion pivotally connected to the base. The base portion further includes a suction nozzle and a brush assembly for agitating the surface, wherein the brush assembly and the nozzle assembly are in a first position raised off of the surface for vacuuming said surface, and the nozzle assembly is lowered to a second position contacting the surface for collecting and picking up liquid and dirt from the surface. A method of cleaning a surface by first dry vacuuming the surface using a cleaning unit in which the nozzle assembly is raised to pick up particles and then wet vacuuming the floor with the nozzle assembly lowered to collect and pick up dirt from the floor mixed with cleaning solution distributed on the floor.

Abstract: A recovery tank is provided for a floor cleaning unit. The recovery tank comprises an inlet opening and a duct fluidly connected to the inlet. The duct extends horizontally within the tank adjacent a side wall the recovery tank for directing air and liquid from the inlet opening in two opposing directions. A lid covers the tank and has an outlet opening for directing air out of the recovery tank. A pair of shields depends downwardly from the lid and extends from the duct to the side wall of the recovery tank. The outlet opening of the lid is located between the shields such that the shields prevent liquid from coming out of the duct and entering the outlet opening of the lid.

Abstract: A suction cleaner nozzle has a nozzle body enclosing an agitator chamber, which has an elongated suction inlet opening. An agitator is disposed in the agitator chamber such that the agitator extends partially through the suction inlet opening for agitating a surface to be cleaned. A duct is connected to the nozzle body and located adjacent the agitator chamber. The duct extends parallel to the rotative axis of the agitator. A turbine rotor is rotatably connected to the nozzle body and operatively connected to the agitator.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a main body and a handle, the main body being formed with a nozzle which delivers a stream of dirt-laden air through a dirt duct through a motor-fan inlet, the handle being supported on the motor-fan assembly and housing a filter bag which communicates with the motor-fan assembly for receiving the dirt-laden air, the motor-fan assembly having a motor housing, a motor with commutated brushes which give off carbon dust particles, a motor cooling fan for drawing a cooling airstream and a working fan for drawing the dirt-laden air, the vacuum comprising: an opening formed in the motor housing for receiving the cooling airstream; a cooling outlet formed in the motor housing through which the cooling airstream exists; means for directing the existing cooling airstream into the dirt-laden air; a collar extending axially outwardly from the motor housing, the collar allowing pivotal rotation of the motor housing relative to the main body.

Abstract: A novel carpet extractor is disclosed having a first cleaning liquid conduit that communicates a supply reservoir with a cleaning liquid distributor via a first valve and a second cleaning liquid conduit that communicates the supply reservoir with the liquid distributor via a second valve. The first valve is actuated by a main trigger and the second valve is actuated by a surge button, both of which are conveniently located in the hand grip on the handle of the machine for propelling the machine over a floor surface. A first normal flow of cleaning liquid is obtained for normal cleaning by depressing the trigger and a second greater flow of cleaning liquid is obtained by depressing the button and the trigger simultaneously. A mechanism is preferably included that will open the first valve in the event an operator depresses only the surge button.

Abstract: A portable compact extractor having permanent solution and recovery tanks integrally formed in a single main tank portion, with a removable power head attached to the top of the main tank. A fill port passes through the powerhead into the cleaning solution tank and a pour spout is formed in the recovery tank. With this construction, the cleaning solution tank may be filled with water and, if desired, detergent, by pouring the water and detergent into the fill port in the power head, and the recovery tank may be emptied as desired simply by tipping the unit and pouring the contents of the recovery tank out the pour spout and down the drain, without ever having to remove any tanks, bottles or the power head from the unit, or disconnect and reconnect any tubes. A carry handle is located on the powerhead to facilitate transportation of the unit, removal of the power head from the main tank for cleaning the tanks when desired, and to facilitate pouring the contents of the recovery tank out of the pour spout.