US005287590A
United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 5,287,590
Yonkers et al. [45] Date of Patent: Feb. 22,1994
[54] WET VACUUM/EXTRACTOR WITH VACUUM PRIMING SYSTEM
[76] Inventors: Robert A. Yonkers, 3565 Apache Ct., Grandville, Mich. 49418; Richard L. Norwood, 100 W. Division St.; Jonathan L. Miner, 50 S. Lincoln St., both of, Rockford, Mich. 49341
[21] Appl. No.: 939,320
[22] Filed: Sep. 2, 1992
[51] Int. CI.' A47L7/00
[52] U.S. CI 15/321; 15/353;
417/199.2
[58] Field of Search 15/320, 321, 322;
417/199.2
[56] References Cited
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2,293,722 8/1942 Erickson 15/320
2,333,829 11/1943 Terry 15/320
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2,575,675 11/1951 Morgan 15/320 X
3,072,950 1/1963 Duffetal 15/320
3,343,199 9/1967 Nolte 15/321
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4,067,663 1/1978 Brooks et al 417/199.2
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4,138,760 2/1979 Cadle 15/321
4,185,354 1/1980 Brazier 15/321
4,210,978 7/1980 Johnson et al 15/320
4,216,563 8/1980 Cyphert 15/321
4,218,805 8/1980 Brazier 15/321
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4,314,385 2/1982 Wimsatt et al 15/321
4,329,756 5/1982 Chicoine et al 15/321
4,353,145 10/1982 Woodford 15/321
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4,864,680 9/1989 Blase et al 15/321
5,189,755 3/1993 Yonkers et al 15/321
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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776514 6/1957 United Kingdom .
804390 11/1958 United Kingdom .
2038168 7/1980 United Kingdom .
1601456 10/1981 United Kingdom .
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2259336 3/1993 United Kingdom .
Primary Examiner—Chris K. Moore
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Price, Heneveld, Cooper,
DeWitt & Litton
[57] ABSTRACT
A wet vacuum/extractor having a first cleaning solution line which extends from a cleaning solution tank to a non-self-priming pump and a second cleaning solution line which extends from the pump to a normally closed fluid flow control valve which controls the flow of liquid on to the cleaning head. The vacuum priming system of the present invention opens the second cleaning solution line to the vacuum generated between the cleaning head and the vacuum fan. This vacuum beyond the output of the pump draws solution from the solution tank into the operating pump. Once the pump is thus primed, the second cleaning solution line is closed to the vacuum and the pump now pumps the solution past the closed fluid flow control valve to the cleaning head.
47 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
