Dual Cleaning Mode Carpet Extractor

Abstract

A carpet extractor ( 10 ) operable in either a restorative cleaning mode or a maintenance cleaning mode includes a constant rate pump ( 96 ) which dispenses clean solution through a manually operated valve ( 98 ) to one of two lines ( 100, 102 ) having nozzles which restrict dispensing to high and low solution flow rates. In the preferred form, clean solution is dispensed at the high flow rate directly upon the carpeted surface and at the low rate upon the agitating brush ( 88 ). When restorative cleaning is desired, the valve ( 98 ) is manually moved to dispense at the high flow rate and a switch ( 110 ) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis ( 18 ) being propelled at a slow working speed. When maintenance cleaning is desired, the valve ( 98 ) is manually moved to dispense at the low flow rate and the switch ( 110 ) is also manually moved resulting in the chassis ( 18 ) being propelled at a fast working speed.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . Method for cleaning carpeted surfaces comprising:
 selecting dispensing of clean solution to the carpeted surface at either high and low solution flow rates, with the high solution flow rate being greater than the low solution flow rate;   agitating the carpeted surface including the dispensed clean solution;   picking up the solution off the carpeted surface after the carpeted surface has been agitated; and   selecting the propelling of the dispensing of clean solution, the agitating the carpeted surface, and pick up of the solution off the carpeted surface at either first and second working speeds along the carpeted surface, with the first working speed being slower than the second working speed, with the carpeted surface being restorative or maintenance cleaned depending upon the selection of the high and low solution flow rates and the first and second working speeds.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  with agitating the carpeted surfaces comprising agitating the carpeted surface with an agitator; and with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising selecting the dispensing of clean solution either at the high solution flow rate upon the carpeted surface before the carpeted surface is agitated and at the low solution flow rate upon the agitator for introduction to the carpeted surface by the agitator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  with agitating the carpeted surface comprising rotating a cylindrical brush about an axis parallel to and spaced from the carpeted surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising: pumping the clean solution at a constant rate; providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing the high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 16  with selecting the propelling of the dispensing, agitating, and pick up comprising: providing a chassis having at least one driven wheel; and driving the driven wheel at one of the first and second working speeds. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 17  with providing the chassis comprising providing the chassis with a handle; and manipulating the handle while an operator walks adjacent to the chassis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising: pumping the clean solution at a constant rate; providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing the high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 19  with valving the pumped clean solution comprising valving the pumped clean solution through a manually operated valve. 
     
     
         20 . Method for cleaning carpeted surfaces comprising:
 agitating the carpeted surface with an agitator;   selecting dispensing of clean solution either upon the carpeted surface before the carpeted surface is agitated in a first cleaning mode and upon the agitator for introduction to the carpeted surface by the agitator in a second cleaning mode; and   picking up the solution off the carpeted surface after the carpeted surface has been agitated.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising:
 selecting the dispensing of clean solution to the carpeted surface at either high and low solution flow rates, with the high solution flow rate being greater than the low solution flow rate, with the clean solution being dispensed upon the carpeted surface before the agitator at the high solution flow rate and being dispensed upon the agitator at the low solution flow rate.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 22  with selecting the dispensing of clean solution comprising: pumping the clean solution at a constant rate; providing a first dispensing line having at least one restorative nozzle allowing high solution flow rate and a second dispensing line having at least one maintenance nozzle restricting dispensing of the clean solution to the low solution flow rate; and valving the pumped clean solution to only one of the first and second dispensing lines.