Vacuum Device Including Selectively Activated, Secondary Vacuum Source and Floor Cleaning Machine Utilizing the Vacuum Device

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine ( 100 ) utilizing a vacuum device ( 10 ) includes a tank ( 20 ) having an inlet ( 22 ) through which dirt, debris, or soiled solution is pulled along with air into the tank ( 20 ). The tank ( 20 ) further includes first and second air outlets ( 24, 30 ) both in communication with the tank ( 20 ). Air in the tank ( 20 ) is drawable out through the first air outlet ( 24 ) and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet ( 30 ). A check valve ( 40 ) is mounted in the second air outlet ( 30 ) preventing airflow from the second air outlet ( 30 ) to the tank ( 20 ). The check valve ( 40 ) allows the air in the tank ( 20 ) to be drawn out through the second air outlet ( 30 ) when more vacuum power is needed. The check valve ( 40 ) prevents airflow from the second air outlet ( 30 ) to the tank ( 20 ) when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet ( 30 ) and while air in the tank ( 20 ) is being drawn out through the first air outlet ( 24 ) when less vacuum power is needed. A vacuum tool ( 104 ) in communication with the inlet ( 22 ) removes previously applied solution from the floor surface which is agitated by an agitator ( 112 ).

1 . A floor cleaning machine comprising, in combination:
 a solution supplier for applying solution to a floor surface to be cleaned;   a tank including an inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, with each of the inlet and the first and second air outlets being in communication with the tank;   a check valve mounted in the second air outlet preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank, with the check valve allowing the air in the tank to be drawn out through the second air outlet, and with the check valve preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet and while air in the tank is being drawn out through the first air outlet; and   a vacuum tool including a first end in communication with the inlet of the tank and a second end for removing the solution from the floor surface for transference into the tank, with air in the tank being drawable out through the first air outlet for providing a vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet for providing an additional vacuum power for sucking the solution from the floor surface through the vacuum tool and the inlet into the tank.   
     
     
         2 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising, in combination: an agitator for agitating the solution on the floor surface before the vacuum tool removes the solution from the floor surface. 
     
     
         3 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 1 , with the vacuum tool being a vacuum shoe for carpeting. 
     
     
         4 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 1 , with the check valve being moveable between an open position allowing airflow between the tank and the second air outlet and a closed position preventing airflow between the tank and the second air outlet, and with the check valve being moved to the closed position under action of a vacuum created by drawing air through the first air outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 4 , with the second air outlet including an air passage having an inner, smaller section in communication with the tank and an outer, larger section, with the inner, smaller section being intermediate the tank and the outer, larger section, with the inner, smaller section having a diameter, with the outer, larger section having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the inner, smaller section, with the check valve further including a ball movably received in the outer, larger section and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner, smaller section and smaller than the inner diameter of the outer, larger section, with the ball being moved toward and blocking the inner, smaller section under the action of the vacuum created by drawing air through the first air outlet when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet, and with the ball being moved away from the inner, smaller section by the air drawn through the second air outlet and not blocking the inner, smaller section when air is being drawn through the second air outlet. 
     
     
         6 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 5 , with air being drawn through the second air outlet by an air mover received in the outer, larger section of the air passage, with the air mover including an internal air passageway in communication with the outer, larger section, with the air in the tank being drawn out through the inner, smaller section, the outer, larger section, and the internal air passageway and pushing the ball away from the inner, smaller section when the air mover operates, and with air outside the tank flowing into the outer, larger section through the internal air passageway to move the ball to press against and block the inner, smaller section when the air mover is inoperative and air is being drawn out of the tank through the first air outlet. 
     
     
         7 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 6 , with the air mover being a fan, and with the second end of the vacuum tool engaging with the floor surface for restricting airflow into the vacuum tool between the vacuum tool and the floor surface. 
     
     
         8 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 5 , with the first air outlet and the second air outlet being integrally formed and independently communicating with the tank. 
     
     
         9 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising, in combination: an air mover mounted in the first air outlet for drawing air in the tank out the first air outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The floor cleaning machine as claimed in  claim 9 , with the air mover being a fan. 
     
     
         11 . A vacuum device comprising, in combination:
 a tank including an inlet, a first air outlet, and a second air outlet, with each of the inlet and the first and second air outlets being in communication with the tank, and with air in the tank being drawable out through the first air outlet and selectively drawable out through the second air outlet; and   a check valve mounted in the second air outlet preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank, with the check valve allowing the air in the tank to be drawn out through the second air outlet, and with the check valve preventing airflow from the second air outlet to the tank when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet and while air in the tank is being drawn out through the first air outlet.   
     
     
         12 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 11 , with the check valve being moveable between an open position allowing airflow between the tank and the second air outlet and a closed position preventing airflow between the tank and the second air outlet, and with the check valve being moved to the closed position under action of a vacuum created by drawing air through the first air outlet. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 12 , with the second air outlet including an air passage having an inner, smaller section in communication with the tank and an outer, larger section, with the inner, smaller section being intermediate the tank and the outer, larger section, with the inner, smaller section having a diameter, with the outer, larger section having an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the inner, smaller section, with the check valve further including a ball movably received in the outer, larger section and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner, smaller section and smaller than the inner diameter of the outer, larger section, with the ball being moved toward and blocking the inner, smaller section under the action of the vacuum created by drawing air through the first air outlet when air is not being drawn out of the second air outlet, and with the ball being moved away from the inner, smaller section by the air drawn through the second air outlet and not blocking the inner, smaller section when air is being drawn through the second air outlet. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 13 , with air being drawn through the second air outlet by an air mover received in the outer, larger section of the air passage, with the air mover including an internal air passageway in communication with the outer, larger section, with the air in the tank being drawn out through the inner, smaller section, the outer, larger section, and the internal air passageway and pushing the ball away from the inner, smaller section when air mover operates, and with air outside the tank flowing into the outer, larger section through the internal air passageway to move the ball to press against and block the inner, smaller section when the air mover is inoperative and air is being drawn out of the tank through the first air outlet. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 14 , with the air mover being a fan. 
     
     
         16 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 13 , with the first air outlet and the second air outlet being integrally formed and independently communicating with the tank. 
     
     
         17 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising, in combination: a vacuum tool including a first end in communication with the inlet of the tank and a second end for removing the solution from the floor surface for transference into the tank, with the second end of the vacuum tool engaging with the floor surface for restricting airflow into the vacuum tool between the vacuum tool and the floor surface. 
     
     
         18 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising, in combination: an agitator for agitating the floor surface, with the agitator cooperating with the vacuum tool to agitate the floor surface before the solution is removed from the floor surface through the vacuum tool. 
     
     
         19 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising, in combination: an air mover mounted in the first air outlet for drawing air in the tank out the first air outlet. 
     
     
         20 . The vacuum device as claimed in  claim 19 , with the air mover being a fan.