US 12,349,846 B2
Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners
Victoria J. Royale, Charlotte, MI (US); Aaron P. Griffith, Grand Rapids, MI (US); David M. Miller, Grand Rapids, MI (US); Michael Luyckx, Ada, MI (US); Brian C. Wolfe, Kalamazoo, MI (US); and Justin Benacquisto, Caledonia, MI (US)
Assigned to BISSELL INC., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed by BISSELL Inc., Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/636,522.
Application 18/636,522 is a continuation of application No. 18/301,414, filed on Apr. 17, 2023, granted, now 11,992,165.
Application 18/301,414 is a continuation of application No. 17/519,093, filed on Nov. 4, 2021, granted, now 11,653,810, issued on May 23, 2023.
Application 17/519,093 is a continuation of application No. 16/790,959, filed on Feb. 14, 2020, granted, now 11,191,414, issued on Dec. 7, 2021.
Application 16/790,959 is a continuation of application No. 16/152,042, filed on Oct. 4, 2018, granted, now 10,588,476, issued on Mar. 17, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/568,956, filed on Oct. 6, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0252013 A1, Aug. 1, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47L 11/40 (2006.01); A47L 11/20 (2006.01); A47L 11/30 (2006.01); A47L 11/34 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 11/4016 (2013.01) [A47L 11/201 (2013.01); A47L 11/30 (2013.01); A47L 11/302 (2013.01); A47L 11/34 (2013.01); A47L 11/4088 (2013.01); A47L 11/4094 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An external accessory for an extraction cleaner, the accessory comprising:
a hand-held housing adapted for operational attachment to the extraction cleaner;
a fluid delivery pathway extending through the housing between a fluid inlet and a fluid distributor, wherein the fluid inlet is configured for fluid communication with the extraction cleaner and the fluid distributor is configured to deliver a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned;
an airflow pathway extending through the housing between a suction nozzle at a forward portion of the housing and an air outlet at a rearward portion of the housing, wherein the air outlet is in fluid communication with the extraction cleaner and is configured to deliver a mixture of waste fluid and waste to the extraction cleaner; and
a diverter assembly disposed within or on the housing and configured to selectively divert the cleaning fluid into the airflow pathway downstream of the suction nozzle and upstream of the air outlet;
wherein the diverter assembly in a first position corresponds to a surface cleaning mode for the accessory and the diverter assembly in a second position corresponds to a self-cleaning mode of the accessory.