Carpet Cleaning Device

Abstract

A carpet cleaning device includes a rigid liquid lifting sheet that includes a top surface and, opposed, a bottom surface which together extend laterally to side edges and longitudinally from a proximal portion having a liquid lifting edge, to a distal portion that is spaced from the proximal portion. The liquid lifting edge extends laterally between the side edges in an angled configuration that includes at least one vertex which is longitudinally forward of adjacent portions of the liquid lifting edge. A liquid receiver is positioned to receive the liquid that is lifted from the carpet by the liquid lifting edge and the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/147,085, filed Feb. 8, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to carpet cleaning devices, and more particularly to a carpet cleaning device that can quickly and easily lift spilled liquids from a carpet.

Description of Related Art

When a liquid spills on a carpeted surface, it can be difficult to clean. Prior art methods typically require the use of an absorbent sheet (e.g., a towel, paper towels, etc.) to try to mop it up or try to press down (or sometimes rub down or rub off) on the spill to soak up the spill. In so doing, some of the spilled liquid may be lifted up but some of the liquid would actually be pushed down into the carpet fibers, embedded on the bottom, making the stain more permanent, and more difficult to remove in the future.

While this application refers specifically to liquids, the same is true of equivalent materials, such as dirt, powders, excrement, and the like. When a powder is spilled, an attempt to scoop up the powder with a dry or a wet towel may remove much of the spill, but the attempt would also push the spilled powder between the fibers, to be lodged at the bottom. Such lodged liquid or powder deep inside the carpet fibers or below the fibers are very difficult to be removed and even become permanent as the time goes on.

Vacuums are not always the best at removing liquids because the vacuum force is often not enough to penetrate under the carpet layers into the pad of the carpet. The pad is an absorbent sponge-like padding which is placed under carpet to make the carpet pleasant to walk on. The carpet cleaning device of this invention applies a pressure which depresses the pad to lift liquids from the pad and allow the removal of the liquid. Vacuums are not effective at this task.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a carpet cleaning device for lifting a liquid from a carpet. The carpet cleaning device includes a rigid liquid lifting sheet that includes a top surface and, opposed, a bottom surface which together extend laterally to side edges and longitudinally from a proximal portion having a liquid lifting edge, to a distal portion that is spaced from the proximal portion. The liquid lifting edge extends laterally between the side edges in an angled configuration that includes at least one vertex which is longitudinally forward of adjacent portions of the liquid lifting edge. A liquid receiver is positioned to receive the liquid that is lifted from the carpet by the liquid lifting edge and the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carpet cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carpet cleaning device, illustrating a cover housing mounted thereupon and in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, illustrating the cover housing in a closed configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating the carpet cleaning device of FIGS. 1-3 being used to pick up a liquid from a carpet.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carpet cleaning device of FIG. 1, illustrating a two-part construction of the carpet cleaning device in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of another embodiment of a liquid lifting edge that may be incorporated into the carpet cleaning device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a carpet cleaning device for lifting a liquid from a carpet.

A FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carpet cleaning device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the carpet cleaning device 10 includes a rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 that includes a top surface 22 and, opposed, a bottom surface 24 which together extend laterally to side edges 26 and longitudinally from a proximal portion 28 having a liquid lifting edge 30, to a distal portion 32 that is spaced from the proximal portion 28.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid lifting edge 30 extends laterally between the side edges 26 in an angled configuration (not straight), which is discussed in greater detail below. The angled configuration includes at least one vertex 34 which is longitudinally forward of adjacent portions 36 of the liquid lifting edge 30. When the carpet cleaning device 10 is moved in the longitudinal direction during use (as shown in FIG. 4), the vertex 34 functions to penetrate through the carpet, as discussed in greater detail below. The angled configuration in this case is triangular, but curved or other shapes are also possible, as discussed below.

The carpet cleaning device 10 further includes a liquid receiver 38 is in operative association with the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 to receive any liquid (reference 12, as shown in FIG. 4) that is lifted from the carpet 14 (reference 12, as shown in FIG. 4) by the liquid lifting edge 30 and the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20. In this embodiment, the liquid receiver 38 is in the form of a reservoir tank mounted adjacent the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 opposite the liquid lifting edge 30, the reservoir tank having an opening 40 operably positioned adjacent to a distal end 32 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20. The opening 40 may be at least partially surrounded by a surrounding wall 42 that extends upwardly around the opening 40 to help prevent spills.

In this embodiment, the proximal portion 28 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 is generally planar, for getting under the liquid, and the distal portion 32 is angled upwardly so that the liquid is lifted to the liquid receiver 38. Obviously alternative structures may be used in alternative embodiments, and these alternative or equivalent configurations should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 includes guide sidewalls 43 that extend upwardly from the side edges 26 to guide the liquid to the liquid receiver 38. In this embodiment, the guide sidewalls 43 may include a pivot mounting mechanism 44 such as a pivot pin that may be used for mounting a cover housing 50 (shown in FIGS. 2-4, and discussed in greater detail below). A locking mechanism 46 may be used to lock the cover housing 50 in different positions, also discussed below in more detail.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 further includes at least one flange 48 extending upwardly from the top surface 22 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20, between the side edges. The at least one flange 48 is disposed longitudinally along the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 and extends to the liquid lifting edge 30. In this embodiment, the at least one flange 48 includes a plurality of flanges (in this case, three) that are parallel to one another. The flange(s) 48 serve the strengthen the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 to enable the use of force to drive the liquid lifting edge 30 into the carpet, and also serve to direct the liquid to the liquid receiver 38.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the carpet cleaning device 10, illustrating a cover housing 50 mounted thereupon and in an open configuration. FIG. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1, illustrating the cover housing 50 in a closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover housing 50 is initially attached via the pivot mounting mechanism 44. In the open configuration shown in FIG. 2, the liquid receiver 38 may be easily emptied and rinsed clean.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the closed configuration, the carpet cleaning device 10 is configured for use in lifting a spilled liquid from a carpet. As shown in FIG. 3, the cover housing 50 includes a curved rear structure 52 that is curved to provide a comfortable rest for a user's hand while he or she is driving the device 10 into the carpet and forwards (as shown in FIG. 4). The device 10 may also be used in the opposite direction, by pulling the device 10 towards the user. The cover housing 50 extends forward to an arched portion 54 that spans the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 for allowing the liquid into the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20.

Also shown in FIG. 3, the liquid lifting edge 30 in this embodiment may be angled downwardly in the direction of the bottom surface 24 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20, to enhance penetration into the carpet for the purposes of getting under and lifting the liquid being removed from the carpet, as shown in FIG. 4. While one embodiment of the liquid lifting edge 30 is shown, alternative configurations may also be used, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view illustrating the carpet cleaning device 10 of FIG. 3 being used to pick up a liquid 12 from a carpet 14. As shown in FIG. 4, the curved rear structure 52 provides a suitable surface for the user to push the carpet cleaning device 10 in the downward and forward motion necessary so that the liquid lifting edge 30 is able to lift the liquid 12 from the carpet 14. The vertex 34 functions to penetrate the carpet 14, as noted above, so that this movement is possible.

Once the liquid 12 has been lifted from the carpet 14 and is on the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20, the carpet cleaning device 10 is rotated so that the liquid lifting edge 30 rises relative to the liquid receiver 38, so that the liquid 12 flows down the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 and into the liquid receiver 38 where it is safely stored pending disposal.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carpet cleaning device 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating a two-part construction of the carpet cleaning device 10 in one embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20 is attached to a mounting plate 60 that extends from the liquid receiver 38. The mounting plate 60 includes a fastening mechanism 62, in this case prongs that lock into receivers 64 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20. The mounting plate 60 may further include an aperture 66 that receives a protrusion 68 that extends from the bottom surface 24 of the rigid liquid lifting sheet 20, for providing a more physically secure interlocking structure. While this two part construction is currently used, those skilled in the art may devise alternative constructions, and these alternatives or equivalent constructions should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a liquid lifting edge that may be incorporated into the carpet cleaning device of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment the liquid lifting edge 30 may include a plurality of vertices 30, with angled or curved edged extending backwards from each vertex 30. While one alternative shape is shown, those skilled in the art may device many alternative shapes consistent with the teachings of the present invention, and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

The title of the present application, and the claims presented, do not limit what may be claimed in the future, based upon and supported by the present application. Furthermore, any features shown in any of the drawings may be combined with any features from any other drawings to form an invention which may be claimed.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. The terms “approximately” and “about” are defined to mean +/−10%, unless otherwise stated. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application. While the invention has been described with reference to at least one particular embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the scope of the invention is defined by claims made to the invention.

Claims

1. A carpet cleaning device for lifting a liquid from a carpet, the carpet cleaning device comprising:

a rigid liquid lifting sheet that includes a top surface and, opposed, a bottom surface which together extend laterally to side edges and longitudinally from a proximal portion having a liquid lifting edge, to a distal portion that is spaced from the proximal portion;

wherein the liquid lifting edge extends laterally between the side edges in an angled configuration that includes at least one vertex which is longitudinally forward of adjacent portions of the liquid lifting edge; and

a liquid receiver that receives the liquid that is lifted from the carpet by the liquid lifting edge and the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

2. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the leading edge is angled downwardly in the direction of the bottom surface of the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

3. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, further comprising at least one flange extending upwardly from the top surface of the rigid liquid lifting sheet, the at least one flange being disposed longitudinally and extending to the liquid lifting edge.

4. The carpet cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the at least one flange includes a plurality of flanges that are parallel to one another.

5. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the liquid lifting edge includes a single vertex, and the adjacent portions are angled to form a triangular shape.

6. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the liquid lifting edge includes a plurality of vertices.

7. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the liquid receiver is in the form of a reservoir tank mounted adjacent the rigid liquid lifting sheet opposite the liquid lifting edge, the reservoir tank having an opening operably positioned adjacent to a distal end of the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

8. A carpet cleaning device for lifting a liquid from a carpet, the carpet cleaning device comprising:

a rigid liquid lifting sheet that includes a top surface and, opposed, a bottom surface which together extend laterally to side edges and longitudinally from a proximal portion having a liquid lifting edge, to a distal portion that is spaced from the proximal portion;

wherein the liquid lifting edge extends laterally between the side edges in an angled configuration that includes at least one vertex which is longitudinally forward of adjacent portions of the liquid lifting edge;

at least one flange extending upwardly from the top surface of the rigid liquid lifting sheet, the at least one flange being disposed longitudinally and extending to the liquid lifting edge; and

a liquid receiver that receives the liquid that is lifted from the carpet by the liquid lifting edge and the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

9. The carpet cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the leading edge is angled downwardly in the direction of the bottom surface of the rigid liquid lifting sheet.

10. The carpet cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the at least one flange includes a plurality of flanges that are parallel to one another.

11. The carpet cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the liquid lifting edge includes a single vertex, and the adjacent portions are angled to form a triangular shape.

12. The carpet cleaning device of claim 8, wherein the liquid lifting edge includes a plurality of vertices.

13. The carpet cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the liquid receiver is in the form of a reservoir tank mounted adjacent the rigid liquid lifting sheet opposite the liquid lifting edge, the reservoir tank having an opening operably positioned adjacent to a distal end of the rigid liquid lifting sheet.