Combination dirty fluid tank and nozzle for a carpet extractor

A carpet extractor comprising:

• a base including a distributor for selectively applying a cleaning solution to a floor surface to be cleaned;
• and,
• a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly removably mounted to the base including:
• a nozzle for vacuuming dirty cleaning solution from the floor surface, and
• a recovery tank for receiving the dirty cleaning solution from the nozzle, the nozzle being connected with the recovery tank such that the nozzle and the recovery tank are removable together from the base, the recovery tank including a discharge opening for emptying dirty cleaning solution from the recovery tank, the discharge opening being selectively covered by a lid;
• and
• a vacuum source communicating with the recovery tank and nozzle assembly for drawing a vacuum on the recovery tank and hence the nozzle, the lid of the recovery tank communicating with the vacuum source.

The A combination dirty fluid tank and nozzle assembly for a carpet extractor of the type which applies a cleaning solution to a floor surface and vacuums dirty cleaning solution from the floor surface, the dirty fluid tank and nozzle assembly being selectively mounted on a base of the carpet extractor, the assembly comprising:

• a nozzle for vacuuming the dirty cleaning solution from a floor surface;
• and
• a recovery tank which includes:
• a chamber for receiving the dirty cleaning solution from the nozzle, the nozzle being secured to the recovery tank and communicating with the recovery tank chamber;
• a lid, which selectively seals a discharge opening to the chamber;
• and
• a recovery tank handle which is movable between a first functional position, for locking the recovery tank to the base of the carpet extractor, a second functional position, in which the recovery tank is removable from the base and the lid is locked to the recovery tank, and a third functional position, in which the lid is removable from the recovery tank for emptying the dirty cleaning solution from the recovery tank chamber.

A method of extracting a cleaning solution from a floor surface with a carpet extractor having a combined recovery tank and nozzle assembly removably mounted in a base portion, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying a vacuum to a recovery tank of the recovery tank and nozzle assembly to draw the cleaning solution from the floor surface, through a nozzle of the recovery tank and nozzle assembly, and into the recovery tank;
• removing the recovery tank and nozzle assembly as a unit from the carpet extractors, including:
• moving a handle which is pivotally mounted to the recovery tank from a first position, in which the recovery tank and nozzle assembly is locked to the carpet extractor, to a second position, in which the recovery tank and nozzle assembly is removable from the extractor;
• and emptying the cleaning solution from the recovery tank.