INTERCHANGABLE BRUSH ATTACHMENT FOR ROTARY CARPET CLEANING MACHINE

Abstract

A brush attachment for a rotary carpet cleaning machine may have interchangeable heads. The brush attachment may also be used on extraction machines to provide both carpet brushing and extraction simultaneously. The interchangeable heads may be used (for example, more firm heads, or more soft heads) to provide different cleaning conditions, depending on the surface to be brushed. Springs may be provided with the brush attachment to permit the attachment to float on the machine. In other words, the springs may permit the brush attachment surfaces to be angled relative to the cleaning face of the machine.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/380,427, filed Sep. 7, 2010, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to carpet cleaning machines and, more particularly, to a bolt on floating brush attachment that has interchangeable brush heads that can greatly boost the cleaning power of a rotary carpet cleaning machine.

Conventional rotary brush carpet cleaning machines do not allow a user to brush the carpet and extract cleaning solution and dirt from the carpet at the same time. For example, when using a typical rotary carpet cleaning machine, such as an RX 20 extractor, a user may not be able to brush the carpet and extract dirt, debris and cleaning solution at the same time. This requires the user to change heads on the rotary carpet cleaning machine, costing time and money.

As can be seen, there is a need for an attachment for a carpet cleaning machine that may permit the machine to brush the carpet while not hindering the extraction ability of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a brush attachment comprises a base plate; a plurality of base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate; and a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets.

In another aspect of the present invention, a brush attachment comprises a base plate; a plurality of base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate; a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets; spacers attached to the base plate brackets; and brush brackets attached to the spacers, wherein the base plate brackets and the brush brackets are L-shaped, wherein a channel is formed between the brush brackets and the base plate brackets, and wherein the brushes fit into the channel.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a carpet cleaning machine comprise a plurality of suction heads; a brush attachment disposed on the carpet cleaning machine, the brush attachment comprising a base plate, a plurality of L-shaped base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate, a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets, spacers attached to the base plate brackets, and L-shaped brush brackets attached to the spacers, wherein a channel is formed between the brush brackets and the base plate brackets and the brushes fit into the channel, wherein the suction heads are disposed adjacent to the brushes, and wherein the brush attachment does not interfere with the suction action of the suction heads.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user using a rotary carpet cleaning machine having a brush attachment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the rotary carpet cleaning machine of FIG. 2 having the brush attachment attached thereto;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the brush attachment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the brush attachment of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the brush attachment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a brush attachment for a rotary carpet cleaning machine that may have interchangeable heads. The brush attachment may also be used on extraction machines to provide both carpet brushing and extraction simultaneously. The interchangeable heads may be used (for example, more firm heads, or more soft heads) to provide different cleaning conditions, depending on the surface to be brushed. Springs may be provided with the brush attachment to permit the attachment to float on the machine. In other words, the springs may permit the brush attachment surfaces to be angled relative to the cleaning face of the machine.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5, a rotary carpet cleaning machine 30 may be used to clean a surface, such as a carpet 32 while a user 28 operates the machine 30. A brush attachment 10 may be used in the machine 30 to provide for agitation of the carpet 32 while the machine 30 may extract dirt, debris, cleaning solution, and the like.

The brush attachment may include a base plate 20 having a plurality of base plate brackets 18 extending outwardly from the base plate 20. The base plate brackets 18 may be permanently or temporarily affixed to the base plate 20. In some embodiments, the base plate brackets 18 may be welded to the base plate 20. The base plate brackets 18 may include a flat portion, generally planar with the base plate 20, and an angled portion, generally orthogonal to and extending from the base plate 20. Mounting holes may be provided in the base plate brackets 18. From 4 to about 8 base plate brackets 18 may be evenly spaced apart and extend from the outer circumference of the base plate 20. Typically, five base plate brackets 18 may be disposed on the base plate 20.

Spacer plates 16, having mounting holes that align with the mounting holes of the base plate brackets 18, may be disposed on each base plate bracket 18. A brush bracket 14 may be disposed on spacer plates 16. The brush bracket 14 may have mounting holes that align with the mounting holes on the spacer plates 16 and the base plate brackets 18. The brush bracket 14 may be L-shaped, where, when the brush bracket 14 is attached to the spacer plate 16 and the spacer plate 16 is attached to the base plate bracket 18, the extending portion of the L-shaped brush bracket 14 forms a channel with the base plate bracket 18. A brush 12 may be disposed in this channel. Bolts 26 and nuts 24 may be used to affix the base plate brackets 18, the spacer plates 16 and the brush brackets 14.

When a user wishes to change the brushes 12, the nuts 24 may be loosened from the bolts 26, causing the channel formed between the base plate bracket 18 and the brush bracket 14 to loosen, allowing the removal of the brush 12. A new brush 12 may be installed in this channel and the nuts 24 tightened to secure the brush 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the brush attachment 10 may be attached to the machine 30 via the base plate 20. The suction heads 34 of the machine 30 may still be used when the brush attachment 10 is in place. Therefore, the machine 30 may be used to brush the carpet 32 and suction dirt, debris, cleaning solution, and the like, from the carpet 32, simultaneously.

A plurality of springs 22, as shown in FIG. 4, may be disposed between the base plate 20 and the machine 30 when the brush attachment 10 is attached to the machine 30. The springs 22 may allow the base plate 20, and therefore the brushes 12, to float relative to the machine 30. In other words, when the face of the machine 30 is oriented, for example, parallel to the carpet 32, the brushes 12 may be angled relative to the carpet 32 due to only a portion of the springs 22 being compressed.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A brush attachment comprising:

a base plate;

a plurality of base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate; and

a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets.

2. The brush attachment of claim 1, further comprising:

spacers attached to the base plate brackets; and

brush brackets attached to the spacers, wherein

the base plate brackets and the brush brackets are L-shaped, wherein a channel is formed between the brush brackets and the base plate brackets, wherein the brushes fit into the channel.

3. The brush attachment of claim 1, wherein the base plate brackets are permanently affixed to the base plate.

4. The brush attachment of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of springs on a second, opposite side of the base plate.

5. The brush attachment of claim 2, further comprising bolts and nuts for interconnecting the base plate brackets with the spacers and the brush brackets.

6. A brush attachment comprising:

a base plate;

a plurality of base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate;

a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets;

spacers attached to the base plate brackets; and

brush brackets attached to the spacers, wherein

the base plate brackets and the brush brackets are L-shaped, wherein a channel is formed between the brush brackets and the base plate brackets, and wherein the brushes fit into the channel.

7. The brush attachment of claim 6, wherein the base plate brackets are welded to the base plate.

8. The brush attachment of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of springs on a second, opposite side of the base plate.

9. A carpet cleaning machine comprising:

a plurality of suction heads;

a brush attachment disposed on the carpet cleaning machine, the brush attachment comprising a base plate, a plurality of L-shaped base plate brackets attached to a first side of the base plate and extending from an outer circumference of the base plate, a plurality of brushes removably attached to the base plate brackets, spacers attached to the base plate brackets, and L-shaped brush brackets attached to the spacers, wherein a channel is formed between the brush brackets and the base plate brackets and the brushes fit into the channel, wherein

the suction heads are disposed adjacent to the brushes, and wherein the brush attachment does not interfere with the suction action of the suction heads.

10. The carpet cleaning machine of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of springs disposed between the base plate of the brush attachment and the carpet cleaning machine.