Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a fluid supply chamber in the form of a bladder for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, wherein the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. The base module includes upper and lower housing portions and the upright handle is pivotably mounted to the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus having a floor-traveling base module and an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a dispensing nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a fluid supply chamber, a fluid recovery system including a suction nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a vacuum source and a recovery chamber, a window in the base module, and an illumination source behind the window for illuminating an area underneath and in front of the base module.

Abstract: According to the invention, a portable surface cleaning apparatus includes a fluid recovery system, a liquid dispensing system, and a rotatable agitation brush comprising a brush body and having a plurality of pliable agitation elements mounted along the brush body for contacting a surface to be cleaned. The agitation elements include a face extending along a length which is sufficient to draw the face across the surface to be cleaned as the brush body is rotated. The agitation elements are formed of elongated straps of fabric having a roughened or textured face and that can be formed of nylon knit strapping, synthetic felt, polyester velour, the loop portion of a hook-and-loop fastener system, pressed fiber material, microfiber polishing cloth, or reinforced synthetic fabric, or, in the alternative, formed of elongated fabric threads or string having a roughened or textured surface and formed of cotton roping or braided polyester threads.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a block heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and into the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a fluid supply chamber in the form of a bladder for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, wherein the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. The base module includes upper and lower housing portions and the upright handle is pivotably mounted to the base module through at least one bearing for rotatable reception in the housing.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus having a floor-traveling base module and an upright handle pivotally mounted to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a dispensing nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a fluid supply chamber, a fluid recovery system including a suction nozzle associated with the base module and fluidly connected to a vacuum source and a recovery chamber, a window in the base module, and an illumination source behind the window for illuminating an area underneath and in front of the base module.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus including a base module for movement along a surface, an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module, a liquid dispensing system including a flexible bladder defining a fluid supply chamber for holding a supply of cleaning fluid, a fluid recovery system including a tank on the base module having a fluid recovery chamber for holding recovered fluid and housing the flexible bladder, and a fluid passageway between the fluid supply chamber and the recovery chamber, whereby the recovery chamber is in fluid communication with the fluid supply chamber and the pressure in the flexible bladder is equalized with the pressure in the tank as the cleaning fluid is dispensed from the supply chamber and the dirty liquid is collected in the recovery chamber. In a further embodiment the tank has an outlet opening in a bottom portion thereof and a drain plug is removably mounted in the outlet opening.

Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a base module for movement along the surface; an upright handle pivotally attached to the base module; a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank mounted to the handle or the base module, a dispensing nozzle mounted to the base module for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, and a heater for heating the fluid to be applied to the surface to be cleaned to a temperature less than boiling; a fluid recovery tank mounted to the handle or the base module for holding recovered fluid; a suction nozzle associated with the base module; a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle; and a vacuum source and fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and through the recovery tank to thereby recovering fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery

Abstract: A watercraft comprising a body, two inflatable floatation members, a drive assembly, a steering assembly and a seat wherein the body portion of the watercraft is foldably collapsible from an operative configuration to a transportable configuration. When in its transportable configuration, the watercraft body forms a compact storage case adapted to accommodate all of the elements of the watercraft for easy and convenient transportation. The storage case generally includes a first compartment wherein the drive assembly and seat are stored and a second compartment accommodating the floatation members and other miscellaneous components of the watercraft.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system having an intake nozzle integrally formed with a concave lower portion of a main vacuum canister of a vacuum cleaner system. The intake nozzle protrudes downwardly and communicates with an opening in a convex upper surface of a liquid pan removably attached to the concave lower portion of the main vacuum canister. In an alternative preferred embodiment, an intake member is included which is secured to the concave lower portion of the main vacuum canister. The intake member includes a downwardly protruding tubular member which protrudes outwardly of the lower surface of the main vacuum canister. The tubular member has a first opening which forms an intake port on the side surface of the main vacuum canister and a second opening forming an exhaust port at a lowermost end portion thereof. The intake member further includes a downwardly depending shroud for enabling the main vacuum canister to be more securely supported on a floor.

Abstract: A cord winder apparatus for a vacuum cleaner system. The apparatus generally comprises a generally circular spool upon which a power cord is wound, and a generally circular race over which the spool is coaxially disposed to enable the spool to be rotated thereon as the power cord is unwound and rewound on the spool. The race and spool are further positioned coaxially over a portion of a motor of the vacuum cleaner system to maintain a compact profile of the system. A coil spring is further coupled to the spool to provide a constant retracting force to rotate the spool in a retract direction to rewind the power cord once it has been at least partially unwound from the spool. A brake is further included for releasably maintaining the spool in a desired position once the power cord has been unwound from the spool a desired amount.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner system having an intake nozzle integrally formed with a concave lower portion of a main vacuum canister of a vacuum cleaner system. The intake nozzle protrudes downwardly and communicates with an opening in a convex upper surface of a liquid pan removably attached to the concave lower portion of the main vacuum canister. Attaching the intake nozzle with the concave lower portion of the main vacuum canister allows the interior area of the liquid pan to be more easily cleaned. In an alternative preferred embodiment, an intake member is included which is secured to the concave lower portion of the main vacuum canister. The intake member includes a downwardly protruding tubular member which protrudes outwardly of the lower surface of the main vacuum canister. The tubular member has a first opening which forms an intake port on the side surface of the main vacuum canister and a second opening forming an exhaust port at a lowermost end portion thereof.

Abstract: A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath-type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; and a plurality of intake/exhaust slots particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates are subjected to centrifugal force and are thereby separated from the intake air. The intake/exhaust slots further enable the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing therethrough as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force generated by the rapid, axial rotation of the housing.

Abstract: A separator for use in connection with a liquid bath type vacuum cleaner system. The separator includes an annular, cup-like housing adapted to rotate axially about its vertical axis for generating a centrifugal force to be applied to intake air therein; a plurality of slots on the housing for allowing dust and dirt particulates entrained in the intake air and liquid particulates from a liquid bath to be drawn into an interior area of the housing and coalesce therein, whereby the coalesced particulates will be subjected to centrifugal force and will thereby be separated from the intake air; and a plurality of exhaust slots for allowing the coalesced particulates to be forcibly expelled from the interior area of the housing as they are forced radially outwards by the centrifugal force towards and through the exhaust slots by rapid, axial rotation of the housing.In one preferred embodiment a plurality of elongated slots in the housing provides both an intake and an exhaust function.